The role of eDNA in streamer formation

For the first time, an international research team led by Eleonora Secchi has succeeded in precisely characterizing a remarkably resilient biofilm structure, so-called streamers. They reveal how extracellular DNA (eDNA) is essential to the mechanical stability of the streamers and under what conditions they are formed. Furthermore, by controlling eDNA, the researchers control their formation. Given the ubiquity of streamers, these findings are relevant in the environmental and medical settings.