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Bacteria can stick to surfaces by clumping together into a sticky mass called a biofilm.

Links for Summer 2026 Malmesbury Jul 12, 2026 14 1 Share Bacteria can stick to surfaces by clumping together into a sticky mass called a biofilm. This is great for preventing the bacteria from being washed away, but less great for exploring the surroundings and invading exciting new niches. This new paper identifies a cool mechanism where the bacteria collectively build a giant bacteria cannon: Here is roughly how it works: inside the biofilm, a subpopulation of cells differentiate into a motile state and secrete a negatively-charged polymer around themselves. Due to osmosis and electrostatic

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