Landing Dynamics of Swimming Bacteria on a Polymeric Surface: Effect of Surface Properties

Langmuir. 2017 Apr 11;33(14):3525-3533. doi: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.7b00439. Epub 2017 Mar 28.

Abstract

Landing of bacteria for adhesion on a surface is a common phenomenon in our life. However, how surface properties are involved in this process remains largely unclear. Using digital holographic microscopy, we investigated the three-dimensional motions of flagellate Escherichia coli swimming near polymeric surfaces with different properties in aqueous solution before adhesion. We monitored the bacteria landing dynamics, which shows that the density distribution, the probability, and the orientation for collisions of the bacteria are determined by their motility but are slightly affected by the surface properties. However, surface hydrophobicity reduces the near-wall velocity of the bacteria through collisions and slightly increases the collision duration. This promotes the landing and adhesion of bacteria. By contrast, most bacteria collide with the surface using their flagella, which resist adhesion.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Adhesion*
  • Escherichia coli / physiology*
  • Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions
  • Motion
  • Polymers / chemistry*
  • Surface Properties

Substances

  • Polymers