University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

An in vitro Biofilm Model with Phenotype Diversity and Macroscale Flow

Reppert, John

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/48669

Description

Title
An in vitro Biofilm Model with Phenotype Diversity and Macroscale Flow
Author(s)
Reppert, John
Contributor(s)
Timp, Greg
Issue Date
2009-12
Keyword(s)
  • biofilms
  • biofilm modeling
  • intercellular signaling
  • cell-to-cell signaling
Abstract
Bacteria in a model biofilm seem to coordinate their activities based on the physical parameters that govern prokaryotic cell-to-cell signaling. The model biofilm is comprised of bacteria that are genetically engineered to transmit and receive quorum-sensing (QS) signals. The model is formed using arrays of time-shared, holographic optical traps in conjunction with microfluidics to precisely position bacteria, and then encapsulated within a hydrogel that mimics the extracellular matrix. Using flourescent protein reporters functionally linked to QS genes, we assay the intercellular signaling. We find that there isn't a single cell density for which QS-regulated genes are induced or repressed. On the contrary, cell-to-cell signaling is largely governed by diffusion, and is acutely sensitive to mass-transfer to the surroundings and the cell location. These observations are consistent with the view that QS-signals act simply as a probe that measures mixing, flow, or diffusion in the microenvironment of the cell.
Type of Resource
text
Language
en
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http://hdl.handle.net/2142/48669

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