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Single-Cell Probing of Nanoscale Bacterial Adhesion in Real-Time Using Optical Tweezers
Guillaume Ramadier1, Sukanya Chakraborty2,3, Inès Fonquernie1
1Department of Engineering Physics, Polytechnique Montréal, Montréal H3T 1J4, Québec, Canada.
ACS Nano
|June 5, 2026
Summary
Researchers studied bacterial adhesion using a new optical tweezers platform. They precisely measured how bacterial holdfasts attach to surfaces, offering insights for anti-biofilm strategies.
Area of Science:
- Microbial Ecology
- Biophysics
- Materials Science
Background:
- Bacterial biofilms significantly impact medicine, industry, and ecology.
- Biofilm formation initiates with nanoscale bacterial adhesion to surfaces.
- Controlling initial bacterial adhesion is crucial for preventing biofilm formation.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the nanoscale adhesion dynamics of single *Caulobacter crescentus* cells.
- Characterize the time-dependent mechanical properties of the bacterial holdfast.
- Understand the physical and biochemical determinants of bacterial adhesion.
Main Methods:
- Developed a custom optical tweezers platform (Trapezoid) with nanometer spatial and millisecond temporal precision.
- Implemented programmed contact cycles with controlled force and duration.
- Quantified nanoscale adhesion onset and holdfast deployment kinetics in real-time.
Main Results:
- Dissected the physical and biochemical factors governing bacterial adhesion at the nanoscale.
- Demonstrated real-time quantification of adhesion onset and holdfast deployment.
- Revealed the influence of surface chemistry on individual bacterial adhesion events.
Conclusions:
- Provided a quantitative framework for understanding bacterial adhesion dynamics.
- Offered insights for designing antiadhesive coatings and biofouling control strategies.
- Laid groundwork for bioinspired adhesives functional in wet environments.
