Biofilms and the Dust Microbiome: Microbial Minutes
Dust looks dead, but it is, in fact, alive, teeming with hardy microbes traveling around the world. How are they surviving the trip? Scientists think biofilm formation may play a role.
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Dust is full of microbes that spread around the world. How are they surviving the trip? Key takeaways and sources used in this Microbial Minutes are listed below.Key Take-Aways
- Bacillus isolates from dust storms formed biofilms when cultured under conditions mimicking dust storm environments (e.g., high temperatures, low humidity). A representative Bacillus subtilis strain showed increased expression of biofilm-related genes and more robust growth when grown on dust-supplemented agar compared to dust-free media.
- Bacteria grew better on sterilized natural dust (containing residual microbial metabolites) than on artificial dust, highlighting the importance of organic components in supporting microbial activity and colonization.
- Mutant strains lacking key biofilm matrix proteins were significantly less competitive than wild-type strains on dust particles. The findings underscore the role of biofilm structures as “public goods” that protect microbes and enhance survival in harsh, nutrient-limited environments.
Sources
The Paper
- Lang-Yona N. et al. . Communications Earth & Environment, July 12, 2025.
Additional Resources
- Aguilera A., et al. , InTech Open, Dec. 12, 2018.
- Asadi, S., et al. . Nature Communications, Aug. 18, 2020.
- Behzad, H., et al. . Genome Biology and Evolution, June 29, 2018.
- Borchardt, T., et al. . Limnology and Oceanography, Aug. 2, 2019.
- Brodsky, H.K., et al. . Environmental Research Letters, Sept. 23, 2023.
- Chen, Y., et al. . Microbiology Spectrum, Oct. 13, 2021.
- Das, et al. . Environmental Science & Technology, Nov. 9, 2023.
- Du, S., et al. . BMC Microbiome, April 9, 2025.
- Gat, D., et al. . Environmental Science & Technology, April 19, 2017.
- Hu, P., et al. . Environmental Microbiology Reports, Dec. 27, 2023.
- Soleimani, Z., et al. . Atmospheric Environment, Feb. 15, 2020.
- Thompson, J.R., et al. . Frontiers Environmental Science, Nov. 23, 2021.
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