Abstract
Bacteria most often live in structured communities. In biofilms, one or more species organize themselves spatially and produce a matrix that protects them and transforms their environment. Microbiomes, on the other hand, comprise the microorganisms associated with a specific environment or host, whether it be soil, the ocean, a plant, or an animal. These communities are shaped by mechanisms of cooperation, competition, and communication that ensure their spatial and functional organization. Genetic regulation, the exchange of genetic material, and metabolic complementarity facilitate their collective adaptation to disturbances, antibiotics, or immune defenses. Microbiomes thus play a full role in the development, functioning, and health of their hosts.
