Influence of flow on the structure of bacterial biofilms.

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Description/Abstract

Bacteria attached to surfaces in biofilms are responsible for the contamination of industrial processes and many types of microbial infections and disease. Once established, biofilms are notoriously difficult to eradicate. A more complete understanding of how biofilms form and behave is crucial if we are to predict, and ultimately control, biofilm processes. A major breakthrough in biofilm research came in the early 1990’s when confocal scanning laser microscopy (CSLM) showed that biofilms formed complex structures which could facilitate nutrient exchange. We have recently found that biofilms growing in turbulent flow can also be temporally complex. Structures such as cell clusters and ripples can migrate downstream along solid surfaces. Further, biofilm viscoelasticity allows the biofilm to structurally deform when exposed to varying shear stresses.