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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik

BP 30: Posters: Physics of Cells

BP 30.17: Poster

Thursday, March 17, 2011, 17:15–20:00, P3

Collective dynamics during the early stage of biofilm formation — •Matthias Theves and Carsten Beta — Biologische Physik, Universität Potsdam

Biofilms are communities of sessile bacteria, embedded in an extra-cellular polymeric structure (EPS), which form at solid-liquid or liquid air interfaces. First, we use biocompatible microfluidic channels together with time-lapse microscopy to study the recruitment of planktonic Pseudomonas putida to a glass surface as well as the subsequent development from attached colonies leading to the mature biofilm. The results serve as a starting point for comparable experiments with Bacillus subtilis, a model organism for biofilm formation capable of 'swarming motility', a state of rapid, flagella-driven colony expansion across surfaces. We finally develop a high-speed setup for digital in-line holography (DIH) to investigate the full three-dimensional picture of the collective motion of both swimming and surface attached bacteria that initiates biofilm formation. In future experiments microfluidic tools will help us to understand the initial interactions and manipulate environmental cues which trigger the biofilm development.