Microscale Confinement features in microfluidic devices can affect biofilm

Journal Article · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 2013 · Microfluidics and Nanofluidics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/s10404-012-1120-6· OSTI ID:1134631

Kumar, Aloke ^[1]; Karig, David K ^[1]; Neethirajan, Suresh ^[2]; Acharya, Rajesh K ^[1]; Mukherjee, Partha P ^[1]; Retterer, Scott T ^[1]; Doktycz, Mitchel John ^[1]

---

1. ORNL
2. University of Guelph

Biofilms are aggregations of microbes that are encased by extra-cellular polymeric substances (EPS) and adhere to surfaces and interfaces. Biofilm development on abiotic surfaces is a dynamic process, which typically proceeds through an initial phase of adhesion of plankntonic microbes to the substrate, followed by events such as growth, maturation and EPS secretion. However, the coupling of hydrodynamics, microbial adhesion and biofilm growth remain poorly understood. Here, we investigate the effect of semiconfined features on biofilm formation. Using a microfluidic device and fluorescent time-lapse microscopy, we establish that confinement features can significantly affect biofilm formation. Biofilm dynamics change not only as a function of confinement features, but also of the total fluid flow rate, and our combination of experimental results and numerical simulations reveal insights into the link between hydrodynamics and biofilm formation.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL); Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences (CNMS)
• Sponsoring Organization: ORNL LDRD Director's R&D; SC USDOE - Office of Science (SC)
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-00OR22725
• OSTI ID: 1134631
• Journal Information: Microfluidics and Nanofluidics, Journal Name: Microfluidics and Nanofluidics Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 14; ISSN 1613-4982
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

biofilm
hydrodynamics
microfluidics
shear