Biofilm formation is a significant concern due to their increased resistance to antibiotics, and increased likelihood of surgical site infection when developed on medical implants. However, the factors that influence the formation of biofilms are not well understood. In general, biofilm formation begins by spontaneous attachment of bacteria to material surfaces or interface, and is not governed by bacteria behavior in solution. Details linking physical interactions of planktonic bacteria (such as aggregates) with biofilm formation behavior remain elusive. Based on the traditional view of biofilms as modulated by physical bacteria interactions, bacteria aggregation should modulate biofilm formation, specifically as they could satisfy critical population densities and enhance the kinetics of biofilm formation. We challenge this traditional view and aim to provide a unifying theory of planktonic bacteria physical interactions as they relate to biofilm behavior. As opposed to providing a catalyst for biofilm formation, polymer induced physical interactions may be capable of sequestering planktonic bacteria as aggregates. Our approach to address the fundamental knowledge gap between planktonic bacteria physical interactions and biofilm behavior is to utilize cationic polymers as a model material to evaluate the mechanism of biofilm formation, via physical interaction evaluation and biofilm behavior. The objective of this study is to connect the polymer-induced physical aggregation in solution with bacterial responses leading to biofilm formation on surfaces. The expected outcomes of this research is the quantitative determination of polymer induced physical interactions as they relate to biofilm mass. The determination of critical biological factors will contribute to the understanding of bacteria behavior in solution and how solution behavior dictates biofilm formation. This new information facilitates a new method for governing biofilm growth, toward the development of new materials for targeted drug-delivery, water purification, and biofuels.

Polymer-modulated bacteria behavior: Unifying bacteria aggregation and biofilm formation

251st National Meeting (2016)

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