Multiscale heterogeneity in filamentous microbes

Abstract

Microbial cells within clonal populations can display different morphologies or carry out different tasks. This heterogeneity is beneficial at the population level and allows microbes to spread risk or separate incompatible activities. Heterogeneity is also evident in filamentous bacteria and fungi, which form mycelial networks consisting of interconnected hyphae. Here, heterogeneity is observed between clonal mycelial particles, between different zones of colonies, between adjacent hyphae and even between adjacent compartments of individual hyphae. In this review, we compare this multiscale heterogeneity in filamentous bacteria and fungi and discuss the underlying mechanisms. These mechanisms might provide targets to improve the exploitability of these organisms as cell factories in the biotech sector.