Biofilm formation by oral microbiome (IMAGE)

University of California - Berkeley

Biofilm formation by oral microbiome

Caption

An electron microscope image showing clumps of Streptococcus mutans, strains of which are the dominant cavity-causing bacteria in humans. The bacteria form clumps after producing and secreting a molecule discovered by UC Berkeley researchers. This and another newly discovered molecule help bacteria form biofilms on teeth, where some bad actors secrete acids that eat away at tooth enamel and promote cavities.

Credit

McKenna Yao/UC Berkeley

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