The bulk of bacteria occuring in the environment grow at surfaces, forming biofilms. Bacteria growing in biofilms display a unique phenotype distinct from broth or agar cultured cells. The behaviour of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus cereus in biofilms is under investigation by proteomic (2D electrophoretorgrams of proteins), as well as genetic analysis. The regulation and function of a number of regulatory elements of P. aeruginosa affected during growth as a biofilm are being studied. The growth, activity and survival of pathogenic bacteria in drinking water biofilms is also under investigation

Bartie C, Venter SN, Nel LH: 2001. Legionella detection from South African cooling water systems. In Legionella, (284-290), American Society for Microbiology (ASM) Press, pp 56.