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Related Concept Videos

Biofilms01:29

Biofilms

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Biofilms are complex communities of microorganisms encased in a self-produced extracellular polysaccharide matrix attached to surfaces. These microbial consortia can include single or multiple species, providing enhanced survival benefits by forming organized, multilayered structures.The formation of biofilms occurs through four key stages: attachment, colonization, development, and dispersal.During attachment, free-swimming planktonic cells adhere to a surface, often facilitated by...
356

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Localized electrical stimulation triggers cell-type-specific proliferation in biofilms.

Colin J Comerci1, Alan L Gillman1, Leticia Galera-Laporta1

  • 1Division of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.

Cell Systems
|May 5, 2022
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Summary

Researchers used a novel microfluidic chip and multielectrode array (MiCMA) to send electrochemical signals to bacterial biofilms. This electronic interface selectively controlled bacterial cell types, influencing biofilm development.

Keywords:
biofilmcell typeelectrical stimulationelectrochemical signalingproliferation

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Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Bioengineering
  • Systems Biology

Background:

  • Electrochemical signaling is fundamental to biological systems, from bacteria to mammals.
  • Artificial electrochemical stimuli have been used for neural tissue, but effects on non-neural systems are largely unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of localized electrochemical stimulation on bacterial biofilms.
  • To develop a platform for precise control over biofilm composition and development.

Main Methods:

  • Developed an experimental platform combining a microfluidic chip with a multielectrode array (MiCMA).
  • Enabled localized electrochemical stimulation of bacterial biofilms.
  • Simultaneously measured physiological responses within the biofilm at single-cell resolution.

Main Results:

  • Electrochemical stimulation altered the ratio of motile to matrix-producing cells in Bacillus subtilis biofilms.
  • Stimulation promoted the proliferation of motile cells, while matrix-producing cells remained unaffected.
  • Demonstrated selective targeting of genetically identical cell types within the same microenvironment.

Conclusions:

  • An electronic interface can selectively target and control specific bacterial cell types.
  • Electrochemical stimulation offers a novel method for modulating biofilm composition and development.
  • This research opens avenues for controlling microbial communities using electronic signals.