The adhesion and growth behavior of cells supported on substrates can be significantly influenced by surface properties, including the surface charge, functional group chemistry and roughness. Surfaces that exhibit low toxicity, good sorption capacity, chemical stability under experimental conditions and, optionally, high selectivity are often referred to as �growth substrates�. Some growth substrates have been found to affect the adhesion, growth, morphology and differentiation of various cell types.  The response of cells to a given surface, however, is often cell type specific.  Here we characterize the effect of a range of charged and uncharged polymeric surfaces on the adhesion and growth behavior of the green microalgae Chlorella vulgaris, a prototypical freshwater species being studied for algal biofuels applications.  Results suggest that surface characteristics such as charge properties and functional groups modulate the adhesion of C. vulgaris. Possible physiochemical and biological relationships that govern the behavior of C. vulgaris on surfaces were also explored.

Adhesion and proliferation of the microalgae Chlorella vulgaris on polymer surfaces

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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