Impact of rpoS deletion on Escherichia coli biofilms

Research was conducted to examine the effect of rpoS deletion on Escherichia coli biofilms. It was hypothesized that slow growth is an essential aspect of bacterial physiology within biofilms. Two strains of Escherichia coli and its isogeic derivvative were used to test the hypothesis. Results indicate that deletion of rpoS greatly reduces the ability of E coli to grow in biofilms but has little impact on the growth of planktonic bacteria.