Molecular motors govern liquid-like ordering and fusion dynamics of bacterial colonies

TL;DR

This study reveals how bacterial molecular motors influence colony structure and fusion dynamics, demonstrating liquid-like behavior driven by motor activity affecting order, tension, and viscosity.

Contribution

It uncovers the role of extracellular pilus motors in regulating bacterial colony ordering and fusion, linking molecular activity to macroscopic colony properties.

Findings

Motor activity enhances local ordering in colonies.

Fusion dynamics exhibit liquid-like behavior influenced by motors.

Motor activity affects tension and viscosity in colonies.

Abstract

Bacteria can adjust the structure of colonies and biofilms to enhance their survival rate under external stress. Here, we explore the link between bacterial interaction forces and colony structure. We show that the activity of extracellular pilus motors enhances local ordering and accelerates fusion dynamics of bacterial colonies. The radial distribution function of mature colonies shows local fluid-like order. The degree and dynamics of ordering are dependent on motor activity. At a larger scale, the fusion dynamics of two colonies shows liquid-like behavior whereby motor activity strongly affects tension and viscosity.