Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 22, 2026

Introducing Shear Stress in the Study of Bacterial Adhesion
Published on: September 2, 2011
[The characteristics of the hydrophobic properties of bacteria when interacting with blood serum]
Abstract:
Considerable variability of the hydrophobic properties of bacterial surface was demonstrated on 132 representatives of Escherichia coli, Neisseria, staphylococci and enterococci, belonging to museum strains and isolated from clinical material. Taxonomic and pathovariant differences in their susceptibility to hydrophobic modification induced by the thermostable and thermolabile components of blood serum were experimentally established. Extracellular bacterial products were found to be capable of preventive and restorative counteraction to such hydrophobic modifications. The antilysozyme and anticomplement activities of bacteria were shown to take part in the expression of hydrophobic/hydrophilic properties in the interaction of bacteria with blood serum.
Related Concept Videos
Surface Membrane Barriers
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...
Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens
Phagocytes
Phagocytes are the frontline soldiers of the immune system. They include neutrophils and macrophages. Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cell and are quickly mobilized to the site of infection. Macrophages are larger cells that patrol...
Biofilms
Other Unique Bacteria
Determinants of Bacterial Pathogenicity and Virulence

