Type III secretion systems (T3SS) are highly specialized structures termed injectisomes which function by translocating bacterial effector proteins via hollow needles directly into eukaryotic target cells. The translocated effectors alter target cell physiology to promote the pathogenic and symbiotic lifestyles of many gram-negative bacterial species. Orchestrating T3SS activity requires multip...

Among the reasons for the growing interest in studying biofilm formation is the role of these microbial communities in chronic infections (24, 38). Such biofilm-like chronic infections include the respiratory infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the cystic fibrosis (CF) lung (7), relapsing otitis media primarily caused by Haemophilus influenzae (41), and staphylococcal lesions in endo...