Scientists discovered that bacteria eating plastic bottles behave differently depending on whether they're floating free or stuck together in a slimy biofilm on the plastic surface, with the biofilm bacteria activating special transport systems to better capture broken-down plastic fragments.
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PET-exposed bacteria (biofilm or planktonic) share a common response: increased branched-chain amino acid transport, boosted serine production, and reduced chemotaxis (movement toward chemical signals)
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Biofilm-specific cells uniquely activate tripartite tricarboxylate transporter genes from three separate genomic locations, not seen in free-floating cells
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Single-cell Raman spectroscopy showed biofilm cells have a distinct membrane profile, appearing protein-rich and more saturated compared to planktonic cells
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