In vitro experimental systems for studying ecological relevance of novel mycelial-like biofilms of legionella pneumophila.

Abstract

This project aimed to establish in vitro systems for the following purposes: (1) Identification and characterization of the genetic regulatory elements - promoters, operators, regulators - involved in the temperature-dependent filamentation of L. pneumophila in biofilms. (2) Analysis of the ecological relevance of the novel form of L. pneumophila biofilm using in vitro systems of single species and multi-species biofilms, with and without the amoeba host Acanthamoeba cubertsoni. The progress was as proposed and the original aims were achieved.