Biofilm dispersion by Pseudomonas aeruginosa requires relocation of BdlA to drive a switch in motility by dispersed cells.

Relocation of BdlA to the flagellated cell pole triggers motility switch during Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm dispersion.

• Why it matters: Understanding how dispersed cells regain motility is crucial for comprehending biofilm dynamics and developing strategies to control bacterial spread and antibiotic resistance.
• What they did: The study examined the regulatory mechanism involving BdlA and DipA, showing that BdlA forms clusters and relocates to the cell pole, stimulating DipA activity and increasing fliC expression during dispersion.
• The result: Findings demonstrate that BdlA relocation and its interaction with DipA coordinate the motility switch, extending the model of surface attachment regulation to include dispersion and motility reversion.