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Bacterial motility, collisions, and aggregation in a 3-{micro}m-diameter capillary

Journal Article · · Biotechnology and Bioengineering
; ;  [1]
  1. Tulane Univ., New Orleans, LA (United States). Dept. of Chemical Engineering

As several variations of in situ bioremediation and biorestoration are increasingly tested for clean-up of contaminated soils and river-bed sediments, it becomes more important to control bacterial transport through porous media. Motility of Escherichia coli K-12 cells was studied in a capillary tube with an inside diameter of 3 {micro}m, which is comparable to the size of the cells` body. The extreme restriction, imposed by the capillary on the bacterial motility, caused a series of phenomena such as cell aggregation, swimming as a cluster, and break-up of aggregates, which were observable for the first time, and which are reported.

Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE, Washington, DC (United States); National Science Foundation, Washington, DC (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
FG21-93EW53023
OSTI ID:
566333
Journal Information:
Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Journal Name: Biotechnology and Bioengineering Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 53; ISSN BIBIAU; ISSN 0006-3592
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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