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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik

BP 7: Poster I

BP 7.25: Poster

Monday, March 23, 2009, 17:45–20:00, P3

Surface properties relevant for the adhesion of marine microorganisms — •A. Rosenhahn¹, S. Schilp¹, X. Cao¹, F. Wode¹, M.P. Arpa Sancet¹, M. Heydt¹, M.E. Pettit², M.E. Callow², J.A. Callow², and M. Grunze¹ — ¹Applied Physical Chemistry, University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany — ²School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK

The prevention of biofouling is a major challenge for all manmade objects which are in long term contact with seawater. In order to systematically develop non toxic coatings, a fundamental understanding of basic surface properties relevant for adhesion of marine inhabitants is required. To determine the influence of selected surface properties we systematically vary wetting, hydration and charge by self assembly of oligo- and polymers. To obtain well defined morphologies, nanolithography and self assembled multilayers are used. The biological response is determined in settlement and adhesion strength assays using predominantly the green algae Ulva linza, but also barnacle cyprids and marine bacteria. It turned out that contact angles around the Berg limit, hydration of the coatings and micrometer sized structures render surfaces less attractive. Besides static assays we are interested in the time dependent dynamics of biofilm formation. To acquire and analyze the complex, 3D swimming and exploration patterns of algal zoospores, we apply digital in-line laser holography. The influence of surface properties on the motion patterns as well as specific recognition distances will be discussed.