Bacterial biofilms contains extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) comprised of polysaccharides, DNA, and proteins. It is thought that the chemical, structural, and mechanical properties of biofilms are interrelated and strongly dictate the bacteria response. Therefore, it is important to develop methods that would allow for the characterization of structure-function relationships and determine how these properties correlate to biological response. This study investigates the relationships between biofilm structure (via 3D imaging) and mechanical response (via rheological measurements). Results from this study provide insights into the complex properties of biomolecules. Further, methods that could quantify biofilm properties may serve as new diagnostic tools for studying biofilm-material interaction.

Structure-mechancial characterization of extracellular polymeric substance from biofilms

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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