Mary Coates

Abstract Cyanobacteria are key contributors to biogeochemical cycles through photosynthesis and carbon fixation. In filamentous, multicellular cyanobacteria these functions can be influenced through gliding motility, which enables filaments to localise in response to light and also form aggregates. Here, we use the aggregate forming species Fluctiforma draycotensis to study gliding motility dynamics in detail.

Abstract Understanding how microbial communities maintain stable compositional diversity is key for predicting community function. Studies from species pairwise interactions and synthetic communities indicate that metabolic interactions and spatial organisation can influence coexistence, but the relevance of these factors in more complex communities is unclear. Model systems often lack multi-species complexity, thereby making it difficult to study community diversity temporally.

Abstract Gliding motility involves a characteristic back-and-forth movement of cells without flagella, and is seen in diverse bacteria. It is currently unknown how reversal dynamics in gliding motility are coordinated, especially in the case of multi-cellular, filamentous cyanobacteria. Here, we study gliding motility dynamics in a recently described species, capable of extensive gliding motility and collective, macro-structure formation.