Razatos, A., Ong, Y., Sharma, M.M. and G. Georgiou, "Molecular Determinants of Bacterial Adesion Analyzed by Atomic Force Microscopy," Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 95:11059-11064 (1998).

Description:

Bacterial adhesion and contamination of non-biological surfaces are serious problems in the medical, dental and food science fields.  Bacterial adhesion begins with the long-range, reversible interactions between a bacterium and a substrate. Once a bacterium is in close proximity to a surface, it can establish short range, permanent interactions.  Bacteria cement themselves to the surface, forming a slimy layer known as a biofilm. At the present time, there is no cure for biofilm infections because the bacteria are resistant to any anti-microbial or antibiotic treatment.

Currently, little is known about the initial forces involved in the adhesion of bacteria to non-biological surfaces.  Researchers have developed a technique that uses the Atomic Force Mircroscope (AFM) to directly measure the forces of interaction between bacteria and planar substrates.  AFM force measurements presented in terms of force versus distance curves are highly quantitative and informative.  The AFM is sensitive enough to detect changes in the adhesive behavior of bacteria due to incremental changes in the bacterial cell surface composition  Currently, the AFM-based methodology is being used to investigate modification strategies of the solid-liquid interface in order to block bacterial adhesion.

This is a contact-mode AFM image of an Escherichia coli bacterial lawn irreversibly immobilized onto a planar glass substrate under physiological conditions.
 

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