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<p>Microplastics (MPs) in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) represent novel ecological niches rather than passive contaminants. They rapidly acquire distinct microbial biofilms, forming the “Plastisphere”. This Perspective examines the underexplored role of quorum sensing (QS) within these complex synthetic microenvironments. We highlight how the intrinsic properties of MPs, such as surface hydrophobicity, chemical leachates, and aging states, create altered signaling landscapes. These distinct environments may decouple QS responses from classical population-density thresholds. Consequently, these dynamic interactions potentially enhance cooperative microbial metabolism and may indirectly facilitate the horizontal gene transfer of antibiotic resistance genes by fostering dense cellular proximity. Despite substantial methodological challenges in detecting active signaling in situ, MPs must be reconceptualized as quorum-modulating microscopes capable of reprogramming microbial communication. Advancing this field requires integrating high-resolution spatial imaging and functional genomics under operationally relevant conditions to bridge theoretical insights with empirical validation, ultimately informing future treatment designs and environmental risk assessments.</p><p></p>

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Quorum sensing on microplastics shapes biofilm function in wastewater systems

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2026年3月27日

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  • Xinyuan Zhang,
  • Sining Zhou,
  • Cancan Jiang,
  • Xu Wang,
  • Shuanglong Ma,
  • Xuliang Zhuang

摘要

Microplastics (MPs) in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) represent novel ecological niches rather than passive contaminants. They rapidly acquire distinct microbial biofilms, forming the “Plastisphere”. This Perspective examines the underexplored role of quorum sensing (QS) within these complex synthetic microenvironments. We highlight how the intrinsic properties of MPs, such as surface hydrophobicity, chemical leachates, and aging states, create altered signaling landscapes. These distinct environments may decouple QS responses from classical population-density thresholds. Consequently, these dynamic interactions potentially enhance cooperative microbial metabolism and may indirectly facilitate the horizontal gene transfer of antibiotic resistance genes by fostering dense cellular proximity. Despite substantial methodological challenges in detecting active signaling in situ, MPs must be reconceptualized as quorum-modulating microscopes capable of reprogramming microbial communication. Advancing this field requires integrating high-resolution spatial imaging and functional genomics under operationally relevant conditions to bridge theoretical insights with empirical validation, ultimately informing future treatment designs and environmental risk assessments.