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Floatony formation in liquid environments: liquid drawing-based fabrication of three-dimensional microbial structures
Hidetaka Taniguchi1, Mai Miyauchi1, Ippei Inoue2
1Department of Chemical Science and Engineering, Institute of Science Tokyo, 4259, Nagatsuta, Midori-ku, Yokohama-city, Kanagawa 226-8503, Japan.
Biofabrication
|June 30, 2026
Summary
Researchers developed a novel liquid-based method called "floatony" to create 3D microbial colonies. This technique allows for the stable formation and study of microbial structures in liquid, overcoming limitations of traditional solid matrices.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Biomaterials Engineering
- Synthetic Biology
Background:
- Microbial spatial organization is crucial for physiology and ecological interactions.
- Conventionalin vitroculture methods using solid/gel matrices hinder microbial motility and molecular diffusion, limiting the study of 3D microbial architectures.
- A need exists for advanced culture systems that preserve microbial mobility and diffusion within defined 3D structures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce a novel liquid-based strategy for fabricating spatially defined three-dimensional (3D) microbial colonies.
- To investigate the influence of liquid matrix rheology on the stability of 3D microbial assemblies.
- To demonstrate the utility of this method for studying microbial activity and interactions in a liquid environment.
Main Methods:
- Development of 'floatony', a liquid drawing technology for fabricating 3D microbial assemblies in a liquid medium without solidification.
- Characterization of rheological properties (e.g., tan delta, viscosity) of the supporting liquid matrix.
- Assessment of microbial viability, enzyme activity, and molecular diffusion within the fabricated structures usingE. colias a model.
Main Results:
- Successfully fabricated stable 3D microbial assemblies in a liquid environment using the floatony method.
- Identified an empirical design criterion (tanδ< 1.8) for stable 3D structure retention with low viscosity, facilitating molecular diffusion.
- Confirmed preserved enzymatic activity ofE. coliand efficient diffusion of reaction products within the liquid matrix.
- Demonstrated fabrication of complex 2D and 3D microbial structures, including free-floating assemblies, visualized via fluorescence imaging.
Conclusions:
- The floatony liquid drawing approach offers a new platform for reconstructing and studying spatially organized microbial systems.
- This method overcomes limitations of solid matrices, enabling investigation of microbial interactions and development of engineered living materials.
- The findings provide a foundation for exploring microbial community dynamics and functions in precisely controlled 3D liquid environments.
