The mechanical structure and rheology of bacterial biofilms at the microscale and mesoscale has a critical role in the lifecycles of biofilms. For example, surface-grown bacteria and production of an extracellular polymeric matrix modulate the assembly of highly cohesive and firmly attached biofilms, making them difficult to remove from solid surfaces. This era of antibiotic resistance has driven research to find effective alternatives to conventional antibiotics. The search has turned towards methods that inhibit bacteria from surface colonization and subsequent biofilm formation, or that disrupt the mechanical stability of pathogenic mature biofilms. Such strategies require improved understanding of biofilm structure and mechanics at various stages of growth. We use confocal microscopy, particle tracking, and two-point microrheology to probe and map the local viscoelastic and heterogeneous structure of the biofilm matrix. Streptococcus mutans UA159, a virulent cariogenic pathogen and a well-characterized EPS-matrix producing and biofilm-forming strain was used as a model organism. We characterize the spatio-temporal evolution of the biofilm rheology using tracers probes in different regions of interest of the biofilm including microcolonies and EPS matrix.

Spatio-temporal evolution of micromechanics of pathogenic biofilms

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.