Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Surface Membrane Barriers01:18

Surface Membrane Barriers

2.3K
The skin and mucous membranes serve as the primary line of defense against pathogens by providing both physical and chemical protection. These barriers are essential in preventing the entry and establishment of microbes, thereby maintaining the integrity of the host.
The outer layer of the skin, the epidermis, is a robust barrier comprising layers of closely packed keratinized cells. This dense arrangement prevents microbes from penetrating the body. The periodic shedding of epidermal cells...
2.3K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Marked variations in the effectiveness of commercial disinfectants against clinically relevant antibiotic-resistant bacteria and fungi.

Arhiv za higijenu rada i toksikologiju·2026
Same authorSame journal

Colonisation potential of microplastic particles containing organic pollutants by a river-isolated environmental <i>Acinetobacter baumannii</i>.

Arhiv za higijenu rada i toksikologiju·2026
Same author

Correction: Extensive biofilm covering on sgraffito wall art: a call for proactive monitoring.

Frontiers in microbiology·2026
Same author

Extensive biofilm covering on sgraffito wall art: a call for proactive monitoring.

Frontiers in microbiology·2026
Same author

Estimating Toxicity Putative Mechanisms from Smoking Residual Substances Using a Whole-Cell Bioreporter System.

Biosensors·2025
Same author

Advancing Skin Rejuvenation Through Ultrasound-Enhanced Non-Invasive Delivery of Hyaluronic Acid Nanoparticles.

Nanomaterials (Basel, Switzerland)·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 5, 2025

Preparation, Imaging, and Quantification of Bacterial Surface Motility Assays
07:35

Preparation, Imaging, and Quantification of Bacterial Surface Motility Assays

Published on: April 7, 2015

24.8K

Capillary bacterial migration on non-nutritive solid surfaces.

Tomislav Ivanković1, Uzi Hadad2, Ariel Kushmaro3,2

  • 1University of Zagreb Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Zagreb, Croatia.

Arhiv Za Higijenu Rada I Toksikologiju
|October 19, 2020
PubMed
Summary

Bacterial cells can migrate vertically on solid surfaces using capillary forces, facilitated by biofilm and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). This newly identified "capillary movement of biofilm" may be ecologically significant.

Keywords:
AcinetobacterBacillusPseudomonasStaphylococcusair/liquid interfacebiofilmmicroscopysurface motility

More Related Videos

Monitoring Spatial Segregation in Surface Colonizing Microbial Populations
07:40

Monitoring Spatial Segregation in Surface Colonizing Microbial Populations

Published on: October 29, 2016

11.4K
In vitro Coculture Assay to Assess Pathogen Induced Neutrophil Trans-epithelial Migration
14:14

In vitro Coculture Assay to Assess Pathogen Induced Neutrophil Trans-epithelial Migration

Published on: January 6, 2014

18.2K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Dec 5, 2025

Preparation, Imaging, and Quantification of Bacterial Surface Motility Assays
07:35

Preparation, Imaging, and Quantification of Bacterial Surface Motility Assays

Published on: April 7, 2015

24.8K
Monitoring Spatial Segregation in Surface Colonizing Microbial Populations
07:40

Monitoring Spatial Segregation in Surface Colonizing Microbial Populations

Published on: October 29, 2016

11.4K
In vitro Coculture Assay to Assess Pathogen Induced Neutrophil Trans-epithelial Migration
14:14

In vitro Coculture Assay to Assess Pathogen Induced Neutrophil Trans-epithelial Migration

Published on: January 6, 2014

18.2K

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • Bacterial motility is crucial for colonization and survival.
  • Existing motility mechanisms include swarming, twitching, gliding, sliding, and surfing.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe a novel bacterial migration mechanism driven by capillary forces.
  • To characterize the conditions and factors influencing this movement.

Main Methods:

  • Experiments were conducted using bacterial cultures on glass slides partially submerged in nutrient medium.
  • Capillary forces were utilized to induce vertical migration.
  • The role of biofilm and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) was investigated.

Main Results:

  • Bacterial cells exhibited upward vertical migration on a non-nutritive solid surface.
  • Capillary forces initiated migration when biofilm formed at the liquid-air interface.
  • Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) facilitated this movement.

Conclusions:

  • A new bacterial motility termed "capillary movement of biofilm" was identified.
  • This phenomenon relies on capillary forces and EPS production.
  • It represents a potentially significant ecological mode of bacterial movement on surfaces.