George ILIEV
When in danger, some bacteria shield themselves by creating a biofilm of slime that protects them from physical threats and from antibiotics, research published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry reveals. Such biofilms cause dental plaque and sinusitis in humans, as well as antibiotic-resistant infections. A protein switch triggers the production of the film-forming molecular glue that keeps the bacteria together and isolates them from the outside world. When the glue-production mechanism is not activated, the bacteria carry on living independently.
In the business world, this molecular glue exists in the form of "incentives". Companies which use incentives to reward cooperation and long-term performance fare better in the dog-eat-dog corporate world. Partnerships are the best in engendering a loyal workforce, according to Colin Mayer, the former dean of Oxford Said Business School, and his book "Firm Commitment". In a partnership structure, the incentives are more likely to ensure alignment between the interests of the employees and the organisation, thus promoting cooperation among the stakeholders.
Even business schools have cottoned on this idea. Some schools have a policy of non-disclosure of the GPA of MBA students to potential employers in order to enhance cooperation (e.g. Chicago Booth). Other schools do not even calculate a GPA for the graduates, so that the MBAs have an incentive to work together during business school and after graduation (e.g. Emory University).
Biofilms are three-dimensional structure and represent a community lifestyle for microorganisms. They have been metaphorically described as "cities for microbes".
ReplyDeleteBiofilms are not just bacterial slime layers but biological systems; the bacteria organize themselves into a coordinated functional community. Biofilms can attach to a surface such as a tooth, rock, or surface, and may include a single species or a diverse group of microorganisms. The biofilm bacteria can share nutrients and are sheltered from harmful factors in the environment, such as desiccation, antibiotics, and a host body's immune system.
Source: Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biofilm)