Biofilms and the Dust Microbiome: Microbial Minutes

Jan. 9, 2026

Dust looks dead, but it is, in fact, alive, teeming with hardy microbes traveling around the world. How are they surviving the trip? Scientists think biofilm formation may play a role.

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Key Take-Aways

• Bacillus isolates from dust storms formed biofilms when cultured under conditions mimicking dust storm environments (e.g., high temperatures, low humidity). A representative Bacillus subtilis strain showed increased expression of biofilm-related genes and more robust growth when grown on dust-supplemented agar compared to dust-free media.
• Bacteria grew better on sterilized natural dust (containing residual microbial metabolites) than on artificial dust, highlighting the importance of organic components in supporting microbial activity and colonization. 
• Mutant strains lacking key biofilm matrix proteins were significantly less competitive than wild-type strains on dust particles. The findings underscore the role of biofilm structures as “public goods” that protect microbes and enhance survival in harsh, nutrient-limited environments.

Sources

The Paper

• Lang-Yona N. et al. Bacillus biofilm formation and niche adaptation shape long-distance transported dust microbial community. Communications Earth & Environment, July 12, 2025.

Additional Resources

• Aguilera A., et al. Microbial Ecology in the Atmosphere: The Last Extreme Environment. From Extremophilic Microbes and Metabolites - Diversity, Bioprospecting and Biotechnological Applications, InTech Open, Dec. 12, 2018.
• Asadi, S., et al. Influenza A virus is transmissible via aerosolized fomites. Nature Communications, Aug. 18, 2020.
• Behzad, H., et al. Global Ramifications of Dust and Sandstorm Microbiota. Genome Biology and Evolution, June 29, 2018.
• Borchardt, T., et al. Saharan dust deposition initiates successional patterns among marine microbes in the Western Atlantic. Limnology and Oceanography, Aug. 2, 2019.
• Brodsky, H.K., et al. Assessing long-distance atmospheric transport of soilborne plant pathogens. Environmental Research Letters, Sept. 23, 2023.
• Chen, Y., et al. Global Patterns and Climatic Controls of Dust-Associated Microbial Communities. Microbiology Spectrum, Oct. 13, 2021.
• Das, et al. Respirable Metals, Bacteria, and Fungi during a Saharan–Sahelian Dust Event in Houston, Texas. Environmental Science & Technology, Nov. 9, 2023.
• Du, S., et al. House dust microbiome differentiation and phage-mediated antibiotic resistance and virulence dissemination in the presence of endocrine-disrupting chemicals and pharmaceuticals. BMC Microbiome, April 9, 2025.
• Gat, D., et al. Origin-Dependent Variations in the Atmospheric Microbiome Community in Eastern Mediterranean Dust Storms. Environmental Science & Technology, April 19, 2017.
• Hu, P., et al. Environmental processes and health implications potentially mediated by dust-borne bacteria. Environmental Microbiology Reports, Dec. 27, 2023.
• Soleimani, Z., et al. An overview of bioaerosol load and health impacts associated with dust storms: A focus on the Middle East. Atmospheric Environment, Feb. 15, 2020.
• Thompson, J.R., et al. Bacterial Diversity in House Dust: Characterization of a Core Indoor Microbiome. Frontiers Environmental Science, Nov. 23, 2021.