1
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Rashtchi P, Sudmalis D, van der Linden E, Abee T, Habibi M. Colonization and spreading dynamics of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum spoilage isolates on wet surfaces. Microbiol Res 2024; 283:127674. [PMID: 38461572 DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2024.127674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
The role of lactic acid bacteria, including Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, in food spoilage is well recognized, while the behavior of these non-motile bacteria on wet surfaces, such as those encountered in food processing environments has gained relatively little attention. Here, we observed a fast colony spreading of non-motile L. plantarum spoilage isolates on wet surfaces via passive sliding using solid BHI agar media as a model. We investigated the effect of physical properties of agar hydrogel substrate on the surface spreading of six L. plantarum food isolates FBR1-6 and a model strain WCFS1, using increasing concentrations of agar from 0.25 up to 1.5% (w/v). Our results revealed that L. plantarum strain FBR2 spreads significantly on low agar concentration plates compared to the other strains studied here (with a factor of 50-60 folds higher surface coverage), due to the formation of very soft biofilms with high water content that can float on the surface. The fast-spreading of FBR2 colonies is accompanied by an increased number of cells, elongated cell morphology, and a higher amount of extracellular components. Our finding highlights colonization dynamics and the spreading capacity of non-motile bacteria on surfaces that are relatively wet, thereby revealing an additional hitherto unnoticed parameter for non-motile bacteria that may contribute to contamination of foods by fast surface spreading of these bacteria in food processing environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Rashtchi
- Physics and Physical Chemistry of Foods, Wageningen University, Wageningen 6708WG, the Netherlands; Food Microbiology, Wageningen University, Wageningen 6708WG, the Netherlands
| | - D Sudmalis
- Environmental Technology, Wageningen University, Wageningen 6708WG, the Netherlands
| | - E van der Linden
- Physics and Physical Chemistry of Foods, Wageningen University, Wageningen 6708WG, the Netherlands
| | - T Abee
- Food Microbiology, Wageningen University, Wageningen 6708WG, the Netherlands
| | - Mehdi Habibi
- Physics and Physical Chemistry of Foods, Wageningen University, Wageningen 6708WG, the Netherlands.
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2
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Jin C, Sengupta A. Microbes in porous environments: from active interactions to emergent feedback. Biophys Rev 2024; 16:173-188. [PMID: 38737203 PMCID: PMC11078916 DOI: 10.1007/s12551-024-01185-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Microbes thrive in diverse porous environments-from soil and riverbeds to human lungs and cancer tissues-spanning multiple scales and conditions. Short- to long-term fluctuations in local factors induce spatio-temporal heterogeneities, often leading to physiologically stressful settings. How microbes respond and adapt to such biophysical constraints is an active field of research where considerable insight has been gained over the last decades. With a focus on bacteria, here we review recent advances in self-organization and dispersal in inorganic and organic porous settings, highlighting the role of active interactions and feedback that mediates microbial survival and fitness. We discuss open questions and opportunities for using integrative approaches to advance our understanding of the biophysical strategies which microbes employ at various scales to make porous settings habitable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenyu Jin
- Physics of Living Matter Group, Department of Physics and Materials Science, University of Luxembourg, 162 A, Avenue de la Faïencerie, Luxembourg City, L-1511 Luxembourg
| | - Anupam Sengupta
- Physics of Living Matter Group, Department of Physics and Materials Science, University of Luxembourg, 162 A, Avenue de la Faïencerie, Luxembourg City, L-1511 Luxembourg
- Institute for Advanced Studies, University of Luxembourg, 2 Avenue de l’Université, Esch-sur-Alzette, L-4365 Luxembourg
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3
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Smith AM, Inocencio DG, Pardi BM, Gopinath A, Andresen Eguiluz RC. Facile Determination of the Poisson's Ratio and Young's Modulus of Polyacrylamide Gels and Polydimethylsiloxane. ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS 2024; 6:2405-2416. [PMID: 38420286 PMCID: PMC10897882 DOI: 10.1021/acsapm.3c03154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2023] [Revised: 01/13/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Polyacrylamide hydrogels (PAH gel) and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS, an elastomer) are two soft materials often used in cell mechanics and mechanobiology, in manufacturing lab-on-a-chip applications, among others. This is partly due to the ability to tune their elasticity with ease in addition to various chemical modifications. For affine polymeric networks, two (of three) elastic constants, Young's modulus (E), the shear modulus (G), and Poisson's ratio (ν), describe the purely elastic response to external forces. However, the literature addressing the experimental determination of ν for PAH (sometimes called PAA gels in the literature) and the PDMS elastomer is surprisingly limited when compared to the literature that reports values of the elastic moduli, E and G. Here, we present a facile method to obtain the Poisson's ratio and Young's modulus for PAH gel and PDMS elastomer based on static tensile tests. The value of ν obtained from the deformation of the sample is compared to the value determined by comparing E and G via a second independent method that utilizes small amplitude shear rheology. We show that the Poisson's ratio may vary significantly from the value for incompressible materials (ν = 0.5), often assumed in the literature even for soft compressible hydrogels. Surprisingly, we find a high degree of agreement between elastic constants obtained by shear rheology and macroscopic static tension test data for polyacrylamide hydrogels but not for elastomeric PDMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariell Marie Smith
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, School of Engineering, University of California, Merced, 5200 North Lake Road, Merced, California 95344, United States
| | - Dominique Gabriele Inocencio
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, School of Engineering, University of California, Merced, 5200 North Lake Road, Merced, California 95344, United States
| | - Brandon Michael Pardi
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, School of Engineering, University of California, Merced, 5200 North Lake Road, Merced, California 95344, United States
| | - Arvind Gopinath
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering, University of California, Merced, 5200 North Lake Road, Merced, California 95344, United States
- Health Sciences Research Institute, University of California Merced, Merced, 5200 North Lake Road, Merced, California 95344, United States
| | - Roberto Carlos Andresen Eguiluz
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, School of Engineering, University of California, Merced, 5200 North Lake Road, Merced, California 95344, United States
- Health Sciences Research Institute, University of California Merced, Merced, 5200 North Lake Road, Merced, California 95344, United States
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4
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Kochanowski JA, Carroll B, Asp ME, Kaputa EC, Patteson AE. Bacteria Colonies Modify Their Shear and Compressive Mechanical Properties in Response to Different Growth Substrates. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2024. [PMID: 38193703 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.3c00907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
Bacteria build multicellular communities termed biofilms, which are often encased in a self-secreted extracellular matrix that gives the community mechanical strength and protection against harsh chemicals. How bacteria assemble distinct multicellular structures in response to different environmental conditions remains incompletely understood. Here, we investigated the connection between bacteria colony mechanics and the colony growth substrate by measuring the oscillatory shear and compressive rheology of bacteria colonies grown on agar substrates. We found that bacteria colonies modify their own mechanical properties in response to shear and uniaxial compression in a manner that depends on the concentration of agar in their growth substrate. These findings highlight that mechanical interactions between bacteria and their microenvironments are an important element in bacteria colony development, which can aid in developing strategies to disrupt or reduce biofilm growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakub A Kochanowski
- Physics Department and BioInspired Institute, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 13210, United States
| | - Bobby Carroll
- Physics Department and BioInspired Institute, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 13210, United States
| | - Merrill E Asp
- Physics Department and BioInspired Institute, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 13210, United States
| | - Emma C Kaputa
- Physics Department and BioInspired Institute, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 13210, United States
| | - Alison E Patteson
- Physics Department and BioInspired Institute, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 13210, United States
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Xu D, Hernandez Miranda ML, Evans ND, Sengers BG, Browne M, Cook RB. Depth profiling via nanoindentation for characterisation of the elastic modulus and hydraulic properties of thin hydrogel layers. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2023; 148:106195. [PMID: 37862727 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2023.106195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
The accurate determination of the mechanical properties of hydrogels is of fundamental importance for a range of applications, including in assessing the effect of stiffness on cell behaviour. This is a particular issue when using thin hydrogel layers adherent to stiff substrate supports, as the apparent stiffness can be significantly influenced by the constraint of the underlying impermeable substrate, leading to inaccurate measurements of the elastic modulus and permeability of thin hydrogel layers. This study used depth profiling nanoindentation and a poroelastic model for spherical indentation to identify the elastic moduli and hydraulic conductivity of thin polyacrylamide (PAAm) hydrogel layers (∼27 μm-782 μm thick) on impermeable substrates. The apparent stiffness of thin PAAm layers increased with indentation depth and was significantly greater than those of thicker hydrogels, which showed no influence of indentation depth. The hydraulic conductivity decreased as the geometrical confinement of hydrogels increased, indicating that the fluid became more constrained within the confinement areas. The impact of geometrical confinement on the apparent modulus and hydraulic conductivity of thin PAAm hydrogel layers was then established, and their elastic moduli and intrinsic permeability were determined in relation to this effect. This study offers valuable insights into the mechanical characterisation of thin PAAm hydrogel layers used for the fundamental study of cell mechanobiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dichu Xu
- National Centre for Advanced Tribology at Southampton (nCATS), University of Southampton, Southampton, UK; Bioengineering Science Research Group, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.
| | - Maria Luisa Hernandez Miranda
- Bone and Joint Research Group, Centre for Human Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, UK
| | - Nicholas D Evans
- Bioengineering Science Research Group, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK; Bone and Joint Research Group, Centre for Human Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, UK
| | - Bram G Sengers
- Bioengineering Science Research Group, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Martin Browne
- Bioengineering Science Research Group, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Richard B Cook
- National Centre for Advanced Tribology at Southampton (nCATS), University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
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Asp ME, Thanh MTH, Dutta S, Comstock JA, Welch RD, Patteson AE. Mechanobiology as a tool for addressing the genotype-to-phenotype problem in microbiology. BIOPHYSICS REVIEWS 2023; 4:021304. [PMID: 38504926 PMCID: PMC10903382 DOI: 10.1063/5.0142121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
The central hypothesis of the genotype-phenotype relationship is that the phenotype of a developing organism (i.e., its set of observable attributes) depends on its genome and the environment. However, as we learn more about the genetics and biochemistry of living systems, our understanding does not fully extend to the complex multiscale nature of how cells move, interact, and organize; this gap in understanding is referred to as the genotype-to-phenotype problem. The physics of soft matter sets the background on which living organisms evolved, and the cell environment is a strong determinant of cell phenotype. This inevitably leads to challenges as the full function of many genes, and the diversity of cellular behaviors cannot be assessed without wide screens of environmental conditions. Cellular mechanobiology is an emerging field that provides methodologies to understand how cells integrate chemical and physical environmental stress and signals, and how they are transduced to control cell function. Biofilm forming bacteria represent an attractive model because they are fast growing, genetically malleable and can display sophisticated self-organizing developmental behaviors similar to those found in higher organisms. Here, we propose mechanobiology as a new area of study in prokaryotic systems and describe its potential for unveiling new links between an organism's genome and phenome.
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Charlton SGV, Kurz DL, Geisel S, Jimenez-Martinez J, Secchi E. The role of biofilm matrix composition in controlling colony expansion and morphology. Interface Focus 2022; 12:20220035. [PMID: 36330326 PMCID: PMC9560791 DOI: 10.1098/rsfs.2022.0035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Biofilms are biological viscoelastic gels composed of bacterial cells embedded in a self-secreted polymeric extracellular matrix (ECM). In environmental settings, such as in the rhizosphere and phyllosphere, biofilm colonization occurs at the solid-air interface. The biofilms' ability to colonize and expand over these surfaces depends on the formation of osmotic gradients and ECM viscoelastic properties. In this work, we study the influence of biofilm ECM components on its viscoelasticity and expansion, using the model organism Bacillus subtilis and deletion mutants of its three major ECM components, TasA, EPS and BslA. Using a multi-scale approach, we quantified macro-scale viscoelasticity and expansion dynamics. Furthermore, we used a microsphere assay to visualize the micro-scale expansion patterns. We find that the viscoelastic phase angle Φ is likely the best viscoelastic parameter correlating to biofilm expansion dynamics. Moreover, we quantify the sensitivity of the biofilm to changes in substrate water potential as a function of ECM composition. Finally, we find that the deletion of ECM components significantly increases the coherence of micro-scale colony expansion patterns. These results demonstrate the influence of ECM viscoelasticity and substrate water potential on the expansion of biofilm colonies on wet surfaces at the air-solid interface, commonly found in natural environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel G. V. Charlton
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, Institute of Environmental Engineering, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Dorothee L. Kurz
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, Institute of Environmental Engineering, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Department Water Resources and Drinking Water, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Eawag, Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Steffen Geisel
- Department of Materials, Soft Materials, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Joaquin Jimenez-Martinez
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, Institute of Environmental Engineering, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Department Water Resources and Drinking Water, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Eawag, Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Eleonora Secchi
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, Institute of Environmental Engineering, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
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Asp M, Jutzeler E, Kochanowski J, Kerr K, Song D, Gupta S, Carroll B, Patteson A. A Torsion-Based Rheometer for Measuring Viscoelastic Material Properties. BIOPHYSICIST (ROCKVILLE, MD.) 2022; 3:94-105. [PMID: 38098945 PMCID: PMC10720878 DOI: 10.35459/tbp.2020.000172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Rheology and the study of viscoelastic materials are an integral part of engineering and the study of biophysical systems. Tissue rheology is even used in the study of cancer and other diseases. However, the cost of a rheometer is feasible only for colleges, universities, and research laboratories. Even if a rheometer can be purchased, it is bulky and delicately calibrated, limiting its usefulness to the laboratory itself. The design presented here is less than a tenth of the cost of a professional rheometer. The design is also portable, making it the ideal solution to introduce viscoelasticity to high school students as well as for use in the field for obtaining rheological data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merrill Asp
- Physics Department and BioInspired Institute, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, USA
| | - Elise Jutzeler
- Physics Department and BioInspired Institute, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, USA
- Jamesville-Dewitt High School, Syracuse, NY, USA
| | - Jakub Kochanowski
- Physics Department and BioInspired Institute, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, USA
| | - Katherine Kerr
- Institute for Medicine and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Dawei Song
- Institute for Medicine and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Sarthak Gupta
- Physics Department and BioInspired Institute, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, USA
| | - Bobby Carroll
- Physics Department and BioInspired Institute, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, USA
| | - Alison Patteson
- Physics Department and BioInspired Institute, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, USA
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9
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Dsouza A, Constantinidou C, Arvanitis TN, Haddleton DM, Charmet J, Hand RA. Multifunctional Composite Hydrogels for Bacterial Capture, Growth/Elimination, and Sensing Applications. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:47323-47344. [PMID: 36222596 PMCID: PMC9614723 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c08582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Hydrogels are cross-linked networks of hydrophilic polymer chains with a three-dimensional structure. Owing to their unique features, the application of hydrogels for bacterial/antibacterial studies and bacterial infection management has grown in importance in recent years. This trend is likely to continue due to the rise in bacterial infections and antimicrobial resistance. By exploiting their physicochemical characteristics and inherent nature, hydrogels have been developed to achieve bacterial capture and detection, bacterial growth or elimination, antibiotic delivery, or bacterial sensing. Traditionally, the development of hydrogels for bacterial/antibacterial studies has focused on achieving a single function such as antibiotic delivery, antibacterial activity, bacterial growth, or bacterial detection. However, recent studies demonstrate the fabrication of multifunctional hydrogels, where a single hydrogel is capable of performing more than one bacterial/antibacterial function, or composite hydrogels consisting of a number of single functionalized hydrogels, which exhibit bacterial/antibacterial function synergistically. In this review, we first highlight the hydrogel features critical for bacterial studies and infection management. Then, we specifically address unique hydrogel properties, their surface/network functionalization, and their mode of action for bacterial capture, adhesion/growth, antibacterial activity, and bacterial sensing, respectively. Finally, we provide insights into different strategies for developing multifunctional hydrogels and how such systems can help tackle, manage, and understand bacterial infections and antimicrobial resistance. We also note that the strategies highlighted in this review can be adapted to other cell types and are therefore likely to find applications beyond the field of microbiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Dsouza
- Warwick
Manufacturing Group, The University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom CV4 7AL
| | | | - Theodoros N. Arvanitis
- Institute
of Digital Healthcare, Warwick Manufacturing Group, The University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom CV4 7AL
| | - David M. Haddleton
- Department
of Chemistry, The University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom CV4 7AL
| | - Jérôme Charmet
- Warwick
Manufacturing Group, The University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom CV4 7AL
- Warwick
Medical School, The University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom CV4 7AL
- School
of Engineering—HE-Arc Ingénierie, HES-SO University of Applied Sciences Western Switzerland, 2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Rachel A. Hand
- Department
of Chemistry, The University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom CV4 7AL
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