Metal binding by Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 is influenced by growth of the cells as a biofilm.

The metal-binding properties of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 biofilms were investigated using four metals (Cu, Fe, Au, and La). All but one of the metals (i.e., Cu) were bound by the biofilms in amounts that were significantly greater than those bound by planktonically grown cells of the same strain. Lanthanum precipitation appeared to be limited to the base of the biofilms and was not promoted by a shift in lipopolysaccharide production by the cells.