Adhesion to solid surfaces has been shown to affect bacterial growth; however, prediction of how a specific surface may affect bacteria remains elusive. To address this, we are examining the effects of adhesion on bacterial growth kinetics. Specifically, we are developing a hypothesis based on a potential link between cellular bioenergetics and the physiochemical charge-regulation effect, which occurs as a surface containing acid/base functional groups approaches another surface. This study is focusing on bacteria undergoing exponential growth to determine if the kinetics of attached bacteria varies as predicted by our hypothesis. Our experimental approach uses steady-state chemostat reactors that allow determination of bacterial growth kinetics of both adhered and planktonic cells.  We are using multiple ion exchange resin beads, each with a different predicted metabolic response, as the solid surfaces. We will present results demonstrating how the acid/base properties of the solid surface affect the growth kinetics of attached bacteria.

Effects of adhesion on bacterial growth kinetics

244th National Meeting (2012)

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