bioRxiv preprint doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.01.08.425936; this version posted January 11, 2021. The copyright holder for this preprint (which was not certified by peer review) is the author/funder. All rights reserved. No reuse allowed without permission. Controlled spatial organization of bacterial clusters reveals cell filamentation is vital for Xylella fastidiosa biofilm formation Silambarasan Anbumani1, Aldeliane M. da Silva,1 Eduarda Regina Fischer2, Mariana de Souza e Silva2, Antônio A.G. von Zuben1, Hernandes F. Carvalho3, Alessandra A. de Souza2, Richard Janissen4,* and Monica A. Cotta1,* 1Department of Applied Physics, Institute of Physics “Gleb Wataghin”, University of Campinas- 13083-859 Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil 2Citrus Center APTA “Sylvio Moreira” Agronomic Institute of Campinas 13490-970 Cordeirópolis, São Paulo, Brazil 3Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, 13083-862, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil 4Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology, 2629 HZ Delft, The Netherlands *Corresponding authors:
[email protected];
[email protected] KEYWORDS: Biofilm formation, filamentous cells, bacterial adhesion, gold micro patterning, quorum sensing, cell-cell communication, diffusive signaling factors ABSTRACT The morphological plasticity of bacteria to form filamentous cells commonly represents an adaptive strategy induced by stresses. In contrast, for diverse pathogens filamentous cells have been observed during biofilm formation, with function yet to be elucidated. To identify prior hypothesized quorum sensing as trigger of such cell morphogenesis, spatially controlled cell adhesion is pivotal. Here, we demonstrate highly-selective cell adhesion of the biofilm-forming phytopathogen Xylella fastidiosa to gold-patterned SiO2 substrates with well-defined geometries and dimensions.