Coordination Between Multiple Bacterial Communities Using Potassium Ion Signaling

In Bacillus subtilis biofilms, potassium ion signaling allows for long-distance communication and coordination between cells in mature colonies to regulate nutrient consumption. This intra-colony communication improves the robustness of a biofilm by increasing nutrient availability for cells in the interior. Less is known about electrochemical communication between multiple independent biofilms, where it has been observed that a state of nutrient starvation can be sensed by neighboring colonies.