Bacteria Bound by a Biofilm
An electron micrograph shows round Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, bound by a biofilm, on the surface of an indwelling catheter. Biofilms shield bacteria from antibiotic attacks and are responsible for most hospital infections.
Cell-Cell Communication
Bacterial cells living in biofilm communities "talk" to each other through chemical signals. As more and more cells aggregate, the concentration of signals increases. “The chemical will build up and up, and eventually you’ll reach a threshold,” Tom Wood says. "This is how the cell monitors what’s going on around it.”
Intraorally Developed Biofilm
Bacterial communities just like these thrive on your gums and teeth (and everyone else’s too).
!["SHO Time" 1](http://news.psu.edu/sites/default/files/styles/multimedia_most_popular/public/4951807427.jpg ""SHO Time" 1")
