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Rodriguez MN, Campetella DM, Carmona NB, Ponce JJ, Parada MN. Microbial mats and their palaeoenvironmental analysis in offshore - shelf facies of the Los Molles Formation (Toarcian - Lower Callovian) in the Chacay Melehue area, Neuquén Basin, Argentina. GEOBIOLOGY 2024; 22:e12580. [PMID: 37990865 DOI: 10.1111/gbi.12580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
This contribution presents the first study focused on the analysis of microbial mats in the Los Molles Formation (Toarcian - Early Callovian), Neuquén Basin, Argentina. This unit mainly represents offshore-to-shelf environments affected by storms and density currents. The Los Molles Formation is one of the oldest source rocks in the Neuquén Basin and constitutes an unconventional shale gas reservoir of great economic importance. The aim of this work was to identify the microbial activity from the description and interpretation of microbially induced sedimentary structures (MISS), to determine the paleoenvironmental and paleoecological conditions under which they formed, and to establish a possible relationship between these structures and the trace fossil Trichichnus. Samples from the levels with MISS were analyzed and described from macroscopic and binocular observations, petrographic microscope thin sections, and SEM samples with EDS analyses. The results showed several levels of microbial mats presenting diverse MISS, including biolaminations and Kinneyia-like wrinkles structures that were described at the macroscopic level. In thin sections, biolaminations, filament-like microstructures with different degrees of development, oriented grains and pyrite were observed. SEM images and EDS analyses showed different types of filaments, coccoids and EPS with high concentrations of carbon. These results revealed that the studied levels fulfill the established biogenicity criteria, guaranteeing that they have a bacterial origin. The abundance of the trace fossil Trichichnus sp. throughout the section and the proximity to some Kinneyia-like wrinkle structures levels suggests that the same organisms may have generated them. Furthermore, they revealed that the Los Molles Formation, at the time of its deposition, experienced paleoecological and paleoenvironmental conditions appropriate for the establishment and development of microbial mats. The extensive levels of microbial mats in the study area suggest that they may have been a source of organic matter for the generation of hydrocarbons from the Los Molles Formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maximiliano Nicolás Rodriguez
- Universidad Nacional de Río Negro, Instituto de Investigación en Paleobiología y Geología, Río Negro, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Instituto de Investigación en Paleobiología y Geología, Río Negro, Argentina
| | - Débora Mical Campetella
- Universidad Nacional de Río Negro, Instituto de Investigación en Paleobiología y Geología, Río Negro, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Instituto de Investigación en Paleobiología y Geología, Río Negro, Argentina
| | - Noelia Beatriz Carmona
- Universidad Nacional de Río Negro, Instituto de Investigación en Paleobiología y Geología, Río Negro, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Instituto de Investigación en Paleobiología y Geología, Río Negro, Argentina
| | - Juan José Ponce
- Universidad Nacional de Río Negro (UNRN), Río Negro, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Río Negro, Argentina
- Servicio Geológico Minero Argentino (SEGEMAR), Centro General Roca, Río Negro, Argentina
| | - Martín Nazareno Parada
- Universidad Nacional de Río Negro, Instituto de Investigación en Paleobiología y Geología, Río Negro, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Instituto de Investigación en Paleobiología y Geología, Río Negro, Argentina
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Corenblit D, Decaux O, Delmotte S, Toumazet JP, Arrignon F, André MF, Darrozes J, Davies NS, Julien F, Otto T, Ramillien G, Roussel E, Steiger J, Viles H. Signatures of Life Detected in Images of Rocks Using Neural Network Analysis Demonstrate New Potential for Searching for Biosignatures on the Surface of Mars. ASTROBIOLOGY 2023; 23:308-326. [PMID: 36668995 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2022.0034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Microorganisms play a role in the construction or modulation of various types of landforms. They are especially notable for forming microbially induced sedimentary structures (MISS). Such microbial structures have been considered to be among the most likely biosignatures that might be encountered on the martian surface. Twenty-nine algorithms have been tested with images taken during a laboratory experiment for testing their performance in discriminating mat cracks (MISS) from abiotic mud cracks. Among the algorithms, neural network types produced excellent predictions with similar precision of 0.99. Following that step, a convolutional neural network (CNN) approach has been tested to see whether it can conclusively detect MISS in images of rocks and sediment surfaces taken at different natural sites where present and ancient (fossil) microbial mat cracks and abiotic desiccation cracks were observed. The CNN approach showed excellent prediction of biotic and abiotic structures from the images (global precision, sensitivity, and specificity, respectively, 0.99, 0.99, and 0.97). The key areas of interest of the machine matched well with human expertise for distinguishing biotic and abiotic forms (in their geomorphological meaning). The images indicated clear differences between the abiotic and biotic situations expressed at three embedded scales: texture (size, shape, and arrangement of the grains constituting the surface of one form), form (outer shape of one form), and pattern of form arrangement (arrangement of the forms over a few square meters). The most discriminative components for biogenicity were the border of the mat cracks with their tortuous enlarged and blistered morphology more or less curved upward, sometimes with thin laminations. To apply this innovative biogeomorphological approach to the images obtained by rovers on Mars, the main physical and biological sources of variation in abiotic and biotic outcomes must now be further considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dov Corenblit
- Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, GEOLAB, Clermont-Ferrand, France
- CNRS, Laboratoire écologie fonctionnelle et environnement, Université Paul Sabatier, CNRS, INPT, UPS, Toulouse, France
| | | | | | | | | | | | - José Darrozes
- Université Paul Sabatier, CNRS/IRD, GET, Toulouse, France
| | - Neil S Davies
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Frédéric Julien
- CNRS, Laboratoire écologie fonctionnelle et environnement, Université Paul Sabatier, CNRS, INPT, UPS, Toulouse, France
| | - Thierry Otto
- CNRS, Laboratoire écologie fonctionnelle et environnement, Université Paul Sabatier, CNRS, INPT, UPS, Toulouse, France
| | | | - Erwan Roussel
- Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, GEOLAB, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Johannes Steiger
- Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, GEOLAB, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Heather Viles
- School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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Gloag ES, Fabbri S, Wozniak DJ, Stoodley P. Biofilm mechanics: Implications in infection and survival. Biofilm 2020; 2:100017. [PMID: 33447803 PMCID: PMC7798440 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioflm.2019.100017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2019] [Revised: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
It has long been recognized that biofilms are viscoelastic materials, however the importance of this attribute to the survival and persistence of these microbial communities is yet to be fully realized. Here we review work, which focuses on understanding biofilm mechanics and put this knowledge in the context of biofilm survival, particularly for biofilm-associated infections. We note that biofilm viscoelasticity may be an evolved property of these communities, and that the production of multiple extracellular polymeric slime components may be a way to ensure the development of biofilms with complex viscoelastic properties. We discuss viscoelasticity facilitating biofilm survival in the context of promoting the formation of larger and stronger biofilms when exposed to shear forces, promoting fluid-like behavior of the biofilm and subsequent biofilm expansion by viscous flow, and enabling resistance to both mechanical and chemical methods of clearance. We conclude that biofilm viscoelasticity contributes to the virulence of chronic biofilm infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin S. Gloag
- Department of Microbial Infection and Immunity, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | | | - Daniel J. Wozniak
- Department of Microbial Infection and Immunity, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
- Department of Microbiology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Paul Stoodley
- Department of Microbial Infection and Immunity, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
- Department of Microbiology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
- Department of Orthopedics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
- National Biofilm Innovation Centre (NBIC) and National Centre for Advanced Tribology at Southampton (nCATS), University of Southampton, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK
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Gerbersdorf SU, Koca K, de Beer D, Chennu A, Noss C, Risse-Buhl U, Weitere M, Eiff O, Wagner M, Aberle J, Schweikert M, Terheiden K. Exploring flow-biofilm-sediment interactions: Assessment of current status and future challenges. WATER RESEARCH 2020; 185:116182. [PMID: 32763530 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2020.116182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Revised: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Biofilm activities and their interactions with physical, chemical and biological processes are of great importance for a variety of ecosystem functions, impacting hydrogeomorphology, water quality and aquatic ecosystem health. Effective management of water bodies requires advancing our understanding of how flow influences biofilm-bound sediment and ecosystem processes and vice-versa. However, research on this triangle of flow-biofilm-sediment is still at its infancy. In this Review, we summarize the current state of the art and methodological approaches in the flow-biofilm-sediment research with an emphasis on biostabilization and fine sediment dynamics mainly in the benthic zone of lotic and lentic environments. Example studies of this three-way interaction across a range of spatial scales from cell (nm - µm) to patch scale (mm - dm) are highlighted in view of the urgent need for interdisciplinary approaches. As a contribution to the review, we combine a literature survey with results of a pilot experiment that was conducted in the framework of a joint workshop to explore the feasibility of asking interdisciplinary questions. Further, within this workshop various observation and measuring approaches were tested and the quality of the achieved results was evaluated individually and in combination. Accordingly, the paper concludes by highlighting the following research challenges to be considered within the forthcoming years in the triangle of flow-biofilm-sediment: i) Establish a collaborative work among hydraulic and sedimentation engineers as well as ecologists to study mutual goals with appropriate methods. Perform realistic experimental studies to test hypotheses on flow-biofilm-sediment interactions as well as structural and mechanical characteristics of the bed. ii) Consider spatially varying characteristics of flow at the sediment-water interface. Utilize combinations of microsensors and non-intrusive optical methods, such as particle image velocimetry and laser scanner to elucidate the mechanism behind biofilm growth as well as mass and momentum flux exchanges between biofilm and water. Use molecular approaches (DNA, pigments, staining, microscopy) for sophisticated community analyses. Link varying flow regimes to microbial communities (and processes) and fine sediment properties to explore the role of key microbial players and functions in enhancing sediment stability (biostabilization). iii) Link laboratory-scale observations to larger scales relevant for management of water bodies. Conduct field experiments to better understand the complex effects of variable flow and sediment regimes on biostabilization. Employ scalable and informative observation techniques (e.g., hyperspectral imaging, particle tracking) that can support predictions on the functional aspects, such as metabolic activity, bed stability, nutrient fluxes under variable regimes of flow-biofilm-sediment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Ulrike Gerbersdorf
- University of Stuttgart, Institute for Modelling Hydraulic and Environmental Systems, Pfaffenwaldring 61, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany.
| | - Kaan Koca
- University of Stuttgart, Institute for Modelling Hydraulic and Environmental Systems, Pfaffenwaldring 61, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany.
| | - Dirk de Beer
- Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, Celsiusstraße 1, 28359 Bremen, Germany.
| | - Arjun Chennu
- Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, Celsiusstraße 1, 28359 Bremen, Germany; Leibniz Center for Tropical Marine Research, Fahrenheitstraße 6, 28359 Bremen, Germany.
| | - Christian Noss
- University of Koblenz-Landau, Institute for Environmental Sciences, Fortstraße 7, 76829 Landau, Germany; Federal Waterways Engineering and Research Institute, Hydraulic Engineering in Inland Areas, Kußmaulstraße 17, 76187 Karlsruhe, Germany.
| | - Ute Risse-Buhl
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Department of River Ecology, Brückstraße 3a, 39114 Magdeburg, Germany.
| | - Markus Weitere
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Department of River Ecology, Brückstraße 3a, 39114 Magdeburg, Germany.
| | - Olivier Eiff
- KIT Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Institute for Hydromechanics, Otto-Ammann Platz 1, 76131 Karlsruhe, Germany.
| | - Michael Wagner
- KIT Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Engler-Bunte-Institute, Water Chemistry and Water Technology, Engler-Bunte-Ring 9a, 76131 Karlsruhe, Germany.
| | - Jochen Aberle
- Technische Universität Braunschweig, Leichtweiß-Institute for Hydraulic Engineering and Water Resources, Beethovenstraße 51a, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany.
| | - Michael Schweikert
- University of Stuttgart, Institute of Biomaterials and Biomolecular Systems, Pfaffenwaldring 57, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany.
| | - Kristina Terheiden
- University of Stuttgart, Institute for Modelling Hydraulic and Environmental Systems, Pfaffenwaldring 61, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany.
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Corenblit D, Darrozes J, Julien F, Otto T, Roussel E, Steiger J, Viles H. The Search for a Signature of Life on Mars: A Biogeomorphological Approach. ASTROBIOLOGY 2019; 19:1279-1291. [PMID: 31584307 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2018.1969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Geological evidence shows that life on Earth evolved in line with major concomitant changes in Earth surface processes and landforms. Biogeomorphological characteristics, especially those involving microorganisms, are potentially important facets of biosignatures on Mars and are generating increasing interest in astrobiology. Using Earth as an analog provides reasons to suspect that past or present life on Mars could have resulted in recognizable biogenic landforms. Here, we discuss the potential for, and limitations of, a biogeomorphological approach to identifying the subsets of landforms that are modulated or created through biological processes and thus present signatures of life on Mars. Subsets especially involving microorganisms that are potentially important facets of biosignatures on Mars are proposed: (i) weathering features, biocrusts, patinas, and varnishes; (ii) microbialites and microbially induced sedimentary structures (MISS); (iii) bioaccumulations of skeletal remains; (iv) degassing landforms; (v) cryoconites; (vi) self-organized patterns; (vii) unclassified non-analog landforms. We propose a biogeomorphological frequency histogram approach to identify anomalies/modulations in landform properties. Such detection of anomalies/modulations will help track a biotic origin and lead to the development of an integrative multiproxy and multiscale approach combining morphological, structural, textural, and geochemical expertise. This perspective can help guide the choice of investigation sites for future missions and the types and scales of observations to be made by orbiters and rovers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dov Corenblit
- Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, GEOLAB - F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - José Darrozes
- Université Paul Sabatier, CNRS/IRD, GET - F-31062 Toulouse, France
| | - Frédéric Julien
- CNRS, ECOLAB, Université Paul Sabatier, CNRS, INPT, UPS, F-31062 Toulouse, France
| | - Thierry Otto
- CNRS, ECOLAB, Université Paul Sabatier, CNRS, INPT, UPS, F-31062 Toulouse, France
| | - Erwan Roussel
- Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, GEOLAB - F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Johannes Steiger
- Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, GEOLAB - F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Heather Viles
- School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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6
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Cogan NG, Li J, Fabbri S, Stoodley P. Computational Investigation of Ripple Dynamics in Biofilms in Flowing Systems. Biophys J 2018; 115:1393-1400. [PMID: 30195936 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2018.08.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2018] [Revised: 07/12/2018] [Accepted: 08/14/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Biofilms are collections of microorganisms that aggregate using a self-produced matrix of extracellular polymeric substance. It has been broadly demonstrated that many microbial infections in the body, including dental plaque, involve biofilms. While studying experimental models of biofilms relevant to mechanical removal of oral biofilms, distinct ripple patterns have been observed. In this work, we describe a multiphase model used to approximate the dynamics of the biofilm removal process. We show that the fully nonlinear model provides a better representation of the experimental data than the linear stability analysis. In particular, we show that the full model more accurately reflects the relationship between the apparent wavelength and the external forcing velocities, especially at mid-to-low velocities at which the linear theory neglects important interactions. Finally, the model provides a framework by which the removal process (presumably governed by highly nonlinear behavior) can be studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas G Cogan
- Department of Mathematics, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida.
| | - Jian Li
- Department of Mathematics, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida
| | - Stefania Fabbri
- National Center for Advanced Tribology at Southampton, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Paul Stoodley
- National Center for Advanced Tribology at Southampton, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK; Department of Microbial Infection and Immunity, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
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7
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Aubineau J, El Albani A, Chi Fru E, Gingras M, Batonneau Y, Buatois LA, Geffroy C, Labanowski J, Laforest C, Lemée L, Mángano MG, Meunier A, Pierson-Wickmann AC, Recourt P, Riboulleau A, Trentesaux A, Konhauser KO. Unusual microbial mat-related structural diversity 2.1 billion years ago and implications for the Francevillian biota. GEOBIOLOGY 2018; 16:476-497. [PMID: 29923673 DOI: 10.1111/gbi.12296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2018] [Revised: 04/10/2018] [Accepted: 05/08/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The 2.1-billion-year-old (Ga) Francevillian series in Gabon hosts some of the oldest reported macroscopic fossils of various sizes and shapes, stimulating new debates on the origin, evolution and organization of early complex life. Here, we document ten representative types of exceptionally well-preserved mat-related structures, comprising "elephant-skin" textures, putative macro-tufted microbial mats, domal buildups, flat pyritized structures, discoidal microbial colonies, horizontal mat growth patterns, wrinkle structures, "kinneyia" structures, linear patterns and nodule-like structures. A combination of petrographic analyses, scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy and organic elemental analyses of carbon-rich laminae and microtexture, indicate a biological origin for these structures. The observed microtextures encompass oriented grains, floating silt-sized quartz grains, concentrated heavy minerals, randomly oriented clays, wavy-crinkly laminae and pyritized structures. Based on comparisons with modern analogues, as well as an average δ13 C organic matter (Corg ) composition of -32.94 ± 1.17‰ (1 standard deviation, SD) with an outlier of -41.26‰, we argue that the mat-related structures contain relicts of multiple carbon pathways including heterotrophic recycling of photosynthetically derived Corg . Moreover, the relatively close association of the macroscopic fossil assemblages to the microbial mats may imply that microbial communities acted as potential benthic O2 oases linked to oxyphototrophic cyanobacterial mats and grazing grounds. In addition, the mat's presence likely improved the preservation of the oldest large colonial organisms, as they are known to strongly biostabilize sediments. Our findings highlight the oldest community assemblage of microscopic and macroscopic biota in the aftermath of the "Great Oxidation Event," widening our understanding of biological organization during Earth's middle age.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ernest Chi Fru
- School of Earth and Ocean Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Murray Gingras
- Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Yann Batonneau
- UMR CNRS IC2MP 7285, University of Poitiers, Poitiers, France
| | - Luis A Buatois
- Department of Geological Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Claude Geffroy
- UMR CNRS IC2MP 7285, University of Poitiers, Poitiers, France
| | | | - Claude Laforest
- UMR CNRS IC2MP 7285, University of Poitiers, Poitiers, France
| | - Laurent Lemée
- UMR CNRS IC2MP 7285, University of Poitiers, Poitiers, France
| | - Maria G Mángano
- Department of Geological Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Alain Meunier
- UMR CNRS IC2MP 7285, University of Poitiers, Poitiers, France
| | | | - Philippe Recourt
- UMR 8187 LOG CNRS, University of Lille, ULCO, Villeneuve d'Ascq, France
| | | | - Alain Trentesaux
- UMR 8187 LOG CNRS, University of Lille, ULCO, Villeneuve d'Ascq, France
| | - Kurt O Konhauser
- Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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Fabbri S, Li J, Howlin RP, Rmaile A, Gottenbos B, De Jager M, Starke EM, Aspiras M, Ward MT, Cogan NG, Stoodley P. Fluid-driven interfacial instabilities and turbulence in bacterial biofilms. Environ Microbiol 2017; 19:4417-4431. [PMID: 28799690 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.13883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2017] [Accepted: 08/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Biofilms are thin layers of bacteria embedded within a slime matrix that live on surfaces. They are ubiquitous in nature and responsible for many medical and dental infections, industrial fouling and are also evident in ancient fossils. A biofilm structure is shaped by growth, detachment and response to mechanical forces acting on them. The main contribution to biofilm versatility in response to physical forces is the matrix that provides a platform for the bacteria to grow. The interaction between biofilm structure and hydrodynamics remains a fundamental question concerning biofilm dynamics. Here, we document the appearance of ripples and wrinkles in biofilms grown from three species of bacteria when subjected to high-velocity fluid flows. Linear stability analysis suggested that the ripples were Kelvin-Helmholtz Instabilities. The analysis also predicted a strong dependence of the instability formation on biofilm viscosity explaining the different surface corrugations observed. Turbulence through Kelvin-Helmholtz instabilities occurring at the interface demonstrated that the biofilm flows like a viscous liquid under high flow velocities applied within milliseconds. Biofilm fluid-like behavior may have important implications for our understanding of how fluid flow influences biofilm biology since turbulence will likely disrupt metabolite and signal gradients as well as community stratification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Fabbri
- National Centre for Advanced Tribology at Southampton (nCATS), Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Jian Li
- Department of Mathematics, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
| | - Robert P Howlin
- National Institute for Health Research Southampton Respiratory Biomedical Research Unit, Southampton Centre for Biomedical Research, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK.,Centre for Biological Sciences, Faculty of Natural and Environmental Sciences and Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Amir Rmaile
- Philips Research, Eindhoven 5656, AE, The Netherlands
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Nicholas G Cogan
- Department of Mathematics, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
| | - Paul Stoodley
- National Centre for Advanced Tribology at Southampton (nCATS), Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK.,Department of Microbial Infection and Immunity and the Department of Orthopaedics, Centre for Microbial Interface Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
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9
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Even C, Marlière C, Ghigo JM, Allain JM, Marcellan A, Raspaud E. Recent advances in studying single bacteria and biofilm mechanics. Adv Colloid Interface Sci 2017; 247:573-588. [PMID: 28754382 DOI: 10.1016/j.cis.2017.07.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2017] [Revised: 07/18/2017] [Accepted: 07/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Bacterial biofilms correspond to surface-associated bacterial communities embedded in hydrogel-like matrix, in which high cell density, reduced diffusion and physico-chemical heterogeneity play a protective role and induce novel behaviors. In this review, we present recent advances on the understanding of how bacterial mechanical properties, from single cell to high-cell density community, determine biofilm tri-dimensional growth and eventual dispersion and we attempt to draw a parallel between these properties and the mechanical properties of other well-studied hydrogels and living systems.
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10
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Peterson BW, He Y, Ren Y, Zerdoum A, Libera MR, Sharma PK, van Winkelhoff AJ, Neut D, Stoodley P, van der Mei HC, Busscher HJ. Viscoelasticity of biofilms and their recalcitrance to mechanical and chemical challenges. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2015; 39:234-45. [PMID: 25725015 PMCID: PMC4398279 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuu008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 181] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
We summarize different studies describing mechanisms through which bacteria in a biofilm mode of growth resist mechanical and chemical challenges. Acknowledging previous microscopic work describing voids and channels in biofilms that govern a biofilms response to such challenges, we advocate a more quantitative approach that builds on the relation between structure and composition of materials with their viscoelastic properties. Biofilms possess features of both viscoelastic solids and liquids, like skin or blood, and stress relaxation of biofilms has been found to be a corollary of their structure and composition, including the EPS matrix and bacterial interactions. Review of the literature on viscoelastic properties of biofilms in ancient and modern environments as well as of infectious biofilms reveals that the viscoelastic properties of a biofilm relate with antimicrobial penetration in a biofilm. In addition, also the removal of biofilm from surfaces appears governed by the viscoelasticity of a biofilm. Herewith, it is established that the viscoelasticity of biofilms, as a corollary of structure and composition, performs a role in their protection against mechanical and chemical challenges. Pathways are discussed to make biofilms more susceptible to antimicrobials by intervening with their viscoelasticity, as a quantifiable expression of their structure and composition. Recalcitrance of biofilms against mechanical and chemical challenges has been looked at for ages from a microbiological perspective, but an approach based on viscoelastic properties of biofilms yields new insights in this recalcitrance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon W Peterson
- University of Groningen and University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Yan He
- University of Groningen and University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands University of Groningen and University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Orthodontics, Hanzeplein 1, 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Yijin Ren
- University of Groningen and University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Orthodontics, Hanzeplein 1, 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Aidan Zerdoum
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, NJ 07030, Hoboken, New Jersey, USA
| | - Matthew R Libera
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, NJ 07030, Hoboken, New Jersey, USA
| | - Prashant K Sharma
- University of Groningen and University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Arie-Jan van Winkelhoff
- University of Groningen and University Medical Center Groningen, Center for Dentistry and Oral Hygiene, Anatonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands University of Groningen and University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Medical Microbiology, Hanzeplein 1, 9700 RB, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Danielle Neut
- University of Groningen and University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Paul Stoodley
- Departments of Microbial Infection and Immunity and Orthopedics, Center for Microbial Interface Biology, The Ohio State University, 460 West 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA National Centre for Advanced Tribology at Southampton (nCATS), Engineering Sciences, University of Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Henny C van der Mei
- University of Groningen and University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Henk J Busscher
- University of Groningen and University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands
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Goehring L. Pattern formation in the geosciences. PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. SERIES A, MATHEMATICAL, PHYSICAL, AND ENGINEERING SCIENCES 2013; 371:20120352. [PMID: 24191107 PMCID: PMC3826191 DOI: 10.1098/rsta.2012.0352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Pattern formation is a natural property of nonlinear and non-equilibrium dynamical systems. Geophysical examples of such systems span practically all observable length scales, from rhythmic banding of chemical species within a single mineral crystal, to the morphology of cusps and spits along hundreds of kilometres of coastlines. This article briefly introduces the general principles of pattern formation and argues how they can be applied to open problems in the Earth sciences. Particular examples are then discussed, which summarize the contents of the rest of this Theme Issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Goehring
- Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization, Am Fassberg 17, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
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