Biotic and abiotic surfaces in marine waters are rapidly colonized by microorganisms.
Surface colonization and subsequent biofilm formation and development provide numerous …

Quorum sensing (QS) is a communication mechanism between bacteria that allows specific
processes to be controlled, such as biofilm formation, virulence factor expression, production …

Horizontal gene transfer can trigger rapid shifts in bacterial evolution. Driven by a variety of
mobile genetic elements—in particular bacteriophages and plasmids—the ability to share …

Natural bacterial transformation involves the internalization and chromosomal integration of
DNA and has now been documented in∼ 80 species. Recent advances have established …

Natural transformation is a broadly conserved mechanism of horizontal gene transfer in
bacterial species that can shape evolution and foster the spread of antibiotic resistance …

Natural competence for transformation is a common mode of horizontal gene transfer and
contributes to bacterial evolution. Transformation occurs through the uptake of external DNA …

Chronic infections are frequently caused by polymicrobial biofilms. Importantly, these
infections are often difficult to treat effectively in part due to the recalcitrance of biofilms to …

It is now well accepted that Vibrio cholerae, the causative agent of the water-borne disease
cholera, is acquired from environmental sources where it persists between outbreaks of the …

Transformation is a widespread mechanism of horizontal gene transfer in bacteria. DNA
uptake to the periplasmic compartment requires a DNA-uptake pilus and the DNA-binding …

Global change has caused a worldwide increase in reports of Vibrio-associated diseases
with ecosystem-wide impacts on humans and marine animals. In Europe, higher prevalence …