Bacillus Cereus Swarming Motility
An Elegant Behavior Enhancing Invasive Infectious Diseases, Toxin Production and Environmental Colonization

Area 06 – Scienze mediche

Bacillus cereus produces differentiated swarmer cells in response to surface sensing. Swarmer cells posses the unique ability to collectively move atop moist surfaces under a wide range of growth conditions. This behavioral versatility is ecologically relevant, since B. cereus can adapt swarming to various environmental changes. Swarming by B. cereus is also medically important: swarmer cells are more virulent, particularly prone to invade host tissues and to produce higher amounts of toxins. Herein, the genetic requirements for swarmer cell differentiation and the role played by B. cereus in the virulence this opportunistic pathogen exerts are outlined.

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