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Updated: May 29, 2026
Visualization of Biofilm Formation in Candida albicans Using an Automated Microfluidic Device
Published on: December 14, 2017
Modeled microgravity increases filamentation, biofilm formation, phenotypic switching, and antimicrobial resistance
Stephen C Searles1, Christine M Woolley, Rachel A Petersen
1Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Montana State University , Bozeman, USA.
Abstract:
Candida albicans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen responsible for a variety of cutaneous and systemic human infections. Virulence of C. albicans increases upon exposure to some environmental stresses; therefore, we explored phenotypic responses of C. albicans following exposure to the environmental stress of low-shear modeled microgravity. Upon long-term (12-day) exposure to low-shear modeled microgravity, C. albicans transitioned from yeast to filamentous forms at a higher rate than observed under control conditions. Consistently, genes associated with cellular morphology were differentially expressed in a time-dependent manner. Biofilm communities, credited with enhanced resistance to environmental stress, formed in the modeled microgravity bioreactor and had a more complex structure than those formed in control conditions. In addition, cells exposed to low-shear modeled microgravity displayed phenotypic switching, observed as a near complete transition from smooth to "hyper" irregular wrinkle colony morphology. Consistent with the presence of biofilm communities and increased rates of phenotypic switching, cells exposed to modeled microgravity were significantly more resistant to the antifungal agent Amphotericin B. Together, these data indicate that C. albicans adapts to the environmental stress of low-shear modeled microgravity by demonstrating virulence-associated phenotypes.
Insights
Candida albicans, a fungal pathogen, increases virulence under stress. Exposure to low-shear modeled microgravity induced yeast-to-filament transitions, enhanced biofilm formation, and increased resistance to antifungal drugs.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Mycology
- Space Biology
Background:
- Candida albicans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen causing human infections.
- Its virulence is known to increase under environmental stress.
- The impact of microgravity on C. albicans virulence factors is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the phenotypic responses of Candida albicans to low-shear modeled microgravity.
- To determine if microgravity influences C. albicans' morphology, biofilm formation, and antifungal resistance.
Main Methods:
- Exposure of C. albicans to low-shear modeled microgravity for 12 days.
- Analysis of gene expression related to cellular morphology.
- Assessment of biofilm formation and structure.
- Evaluation of phenotypic switching and resistance to Amphotericin B.
Main Results:
- Long-term microgravity exposure accelerated the yeast-to-filament transition in C. albicans.
- Genes associated with cellular morphology were differentially expressed in a time-dependent manner.
- More complex biofilms formed under microgravity, and cells exhibited increased resistance to Amphotericin B.
- Phenotypic switching to a "hyper" wrinkled colony morphology was observed.
Conclusions:
- Low-shear modeled microgravity induces virulence-associated phenotypes in Candida albicans.
- Microgravity acts as an environmental stressor, promoting morphological changes and enhanced antifungal resistance.
- These findings highlight the adaptability of C. albicans in altered gravitational environments.
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