Electrical signalling beyond diffusion-limited microbial interactions.

Electrical signalling extends microbial interaction ranges beyond diffusion-limited chemical communication, with a measurable "handover distance" that links electrophysiology to ecological interactions.

• Why it matters: Understanding microbial communication is crucial for comprehending ecological dynamics, yet current models focus mainly on chemical diffusion, neglecting bioelectricity's role in spatial interactions.
• What they did: The authors define "handover distance" as the effective range over which electrical or electrochemical signals influence biological responses, proposing it as a testable link between cellular electrophysiology and spatial ecology.
• The result: This perspective highlights bioelectrical interactions as an underexplored but significant component of microbial ecology, complementing chemical signaling and expanding understanding of microbial spatial communication.