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Wen K, Gorbushina AA, Schwibbert K, Bell J. Microfluidic Platform with Precisely Controlled Hydrodynamic Parameters and Integrated Features for Generation of Microvortices to Accurately Form and Monitor Biofilms in Flow. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2024; 10:4626-4634. [PMID: 38904279 PMCID: PMC11234330 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.4c00101] [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] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
Microorganisms often live in habitats characterized by fluid flow, and their adhesion to surfaces in industrial systems or clinical settings may lead to pipe clogging, microbially influenced corrosion, material deterioration, food spoilage, infections, and human illness. Here, a novel microfluidic platform was developed to investigate biofilm formation under precisely controlled (i) cell concentration, (ii) temperature, and (iii) flow conditions. The developed platform central unit is a single-channel microfluidic flow cell designed to ensure ultrahomogeneous flow and condition in its central area, where features, e.g., with trapping properties, can be incorporated. In comparison to static and macroflow chamber assays for biofilm studies, microfluidic chips allow in situ monitoring of biofilm formation under various flow regimes and have better environment control and smaller sample requirements. Flow simulations and experiments with fluorescent particles were used to simulate bacteria flow in the platform cell for calculating flow velocity and direction at the microscale level. The combination of flow analysis and fluorescent strain injection in the cell showed that microtraps placed at the center of the channel were efficient in capturing bacteria at determined positions and to study how flow conditions, especially microvortices, can affect biofilm formation. The microfluidic platform exhibited improved performances in terms of homogeneity and robustness for in vitro biofilm formation. We anticipate the presented platform to be suitable for broad, versatile, and high-throughput biofilm studies at the microscale level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keqing Wen
- Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM), Unter den Eichen 87, Berlin 12205, Germany
- Freie Universität Berlin, Kaiserswerther Str. 16-18, Berlin 14195, Germany
| | - Anna A Gorbushina
- Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM), Unter den Eichen 87, Berlin 12205, Germany
- Freie Universität Berlin, Kaiserswerther Str. 16-18, Berlin 14195, Germany
| | - Karin Schwibbert
- Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM), Unter den Eichen 87, Berlin 12205, Germany
| | - Jérémy Bell
- Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM), Unter den Eichen 87, Berlin 12205, Germany
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2
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Chu LT, Laxman D, Abdelhamed J, Pirlo RK, Fan F, Wagner N, Tran TM, Bui L. Development of a tomato xylem-mimicking microfluidic system to study Ralstonia pseudosolanacearum biofilm formation. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2024; 12:1395959. [PMID: 38860138 PMCID: PMC11163092 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2024.1395959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The bacterial wilt pathogen Ralstonia pseudosolanacearum (Rps) colonizes plant xylem vessels and blocks the flow of xylem sap by its biofilm (comprising of bacterial cells and extracellular material), resulting in devastating wilt disease across many economically important host plants including tomatoes. The technical challenges of imaging the xylem environment, along with the use of artificial cell culture plates and media in existing in vitro systems, limit the understanding of Rps biofilm formation and its infection dynamics. In this study, we designed and built a microfluidic system that mimicked the physical and chemical conditions of the tomato xylem vessels, and allowed us to dissect Rps responses to different xylem-like conditions. The system, incorporating functional surface coatings of carboxymethyl cellulose-dopamine, provided a bioactive environment that significantly enhanced Rps attachment and biofilm formation in the presence of tomato xylem sap. Using computational approaches, we confirmed that Rps experienced linear increasing drag forces in xylem-mimicking channels at higher flow rates. Consistently, attachment and biofilm assays conducted in our microfluidic system revealed that both seeding time and flow rates were critical for bacterial adhesion to surface and biofilm formation inside the channels. These findings provided insights into the Rps attachment and biofilm formation processes, contributing to a better understanding of plant-pathogen interactions during wilt disease development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan Thanh Chu
- Department of Biology, University of Dayton, Dayton, OH, United States
| | - Deeksha Laxman
- Department of Biology, University of Dayton, Dayton, OH, United States
| | - Jenna Abdelhamed
- Department of Biology, University of Dayton, Dayton, OH, United States
| | - Russell Kirk Pirlo
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Dayton, Dayton, OH, United States
| | - Fei Fan
- Department of Chemistry, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Nicholas Wagner
- Department of Biology, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, United States
| | - Tuan Minh Tran
- Department of Biology, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, United States
| | - Loan Bui
- Department of Biology, University of Dayton, Dayton, OH, United States
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Hansson A, Karlsen EA, Stensen W, Svendsen JSM, Berglin M, Lundgren A. Preventing E. coli Biofilm Formation with Antimicrobial Peptide-Functionalized Surface Coatings: Recognizing the Dependence on the Bacterial Binding Mode Using Live-Cell Microscopy. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16:6799-6812. [PMID: 38294883 PMCID: PMC10875647 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c16004] [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: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) can kill bacteria by destabilizing their membranes, yet translating these molecules' properties into a covalently attached antibacterial coating is challenging. Rational design efforts are obstructed by the fact that standard microbiology methods are ill-designed for the evaluation of coatings, disclosing few details about why grafted AMPs function or do not function. It is particularly difficult to distinguish the influence of the AMP's molecular structure from other factors controlling the total exposure, including which type of bonds are formed between bacteria and the coating and how persistent these contacts are. Here, we combine label-free live-cell microscopy, microfluidics, and automated image analysis to study the response of surface-bound Escherichia coli challenged by the same small AMP either in solution or grafted to the surface through click chemistry. Initially after binding, the grafted AMPs inhibited bacterial growth more efficiently than did AMPs in solution. Yet, after 1 h, E. coli on the coated surfaces increased their expression of type-1 fimbriae, leading to a change in their binding mode, which diminished the coating's impact. The wealth of information obtained from continuously monitoring the growth, shape, and movements of single bacterial cells allowed us to elucidate and quantify the different factors determining the antibacterial efficacy of the grafted AMPs. We expect this approach to aid the design of elaborate antibacterial material coatings working by specific and selective actions, not limited to contact-killing. This technology is needed to support health care and food production in the postantibiotic era.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Hansson
- Department
of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University
of Gothenburg, Gothenburg 40530, Sweden
- Department
of Chemistry and Materials, RISE Research
Institutes of Sweden, Borås 50115, Sweden
| | - Eskil André Karlsen
- Amicoat
A/S, Sykehusvegen 23, Tromsø 9019, Norway
- Department
of Chemistry, UiT The Arctic University
of Norway, Tromsø 9037, Norway
| | - Wenche Stensen
- Department
of Chemistry, UiT The Arctic University
of Norway, Tromsø 9037, Norway
| | - John S. M. Svendsen
- Amicoat
A/S, Sykehusvegen 23, Tromsø 9019, Norway
- Department
of Chemistry, UiT The Arctic University
of Norway, Tromsø 9037, Norway
| | - Mattias Berglin
- Department
of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University
of Gothenburg, Gothenburg 40530, Sweden
- Department
of Chemistry and Materials, RISE Research
Institutes of Sweden, Borås 50115, Sweden
| | - Anders Lundgren
- Department
of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University
of Gothenburg, Gothenburg 40530, Sweden
- Centre
for Antibiotic Resistance Research (CARe), University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg 41346, Sweden
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4
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Pierfelice TV, D'Amico E, Petrini M, Romano M, D'Arcangelo C, Sbordone L, Barone A, Plebani R, Iezzi G. A Systematic Review on Organ-on-a-Chip in PDMS or Hydrogel in Dentistry: An Update of the Literature. Gels 2024; 10:102. [PMID: 38391432 PMCID: PMC10887950 DOI: 10.3390/gels10020102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Organs-on-a-chip (OoCs) are microfluidic devices constituted by PDMS or hydrogel in which different layers of cells are separated by a semipermeable membrane. This technology can set many parameters, like fluid shear stress, chemical concentration gradient, tissue-organ interface, and cell interaction. The use of these devices in medical research permits the investigation of cell patterning, tissue-material interface, and organ-organ interaction, mimicking the complex structures and microenvironment of human and animal bodies. This technology allows us to reconstitute in vitro complex conditions that recapitulate in vivo environments. One of the main advantages of these systems is that they represent a very realistic model that, in many cases, can replace animal experimentation, eliminating costs and related ethical issues. Organ-on-a-chip can also contain bacteria or cancer cells. This technology could be beneficial in dentistry for testing novel antibacterial substances and biomaterials, performing studies on inflammatory disease, or planning preclinical studies. A significant number of publications and reviews have been published on this topic. Still, to our knowledge, they mainly focus on the materials used for fabrication and the different patterns of the chip applied to the experimentations. This review presents the most recent applications of organ-on-a-chip models in dentistry, starting from the reconstituted dental tissues to their clinical applications and future perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tania Vanessa Pierfelice
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, University G. d'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Emira D'Amico
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, University G. d'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Morena Petrini
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, University G. d'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Mario Romano
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, University G. d'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Camillo D'Arcangelo
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, University G. d'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Ludovico Sbordone
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences "V. Tiberio", University of Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy
| | - Antonio Barone
- Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular Pathologies and of the Critical Needs, School of Dentistry, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
- Complex Unit of Stomatology and Oral Surgery, University Hospital of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Roberto Plebani
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, University G. d'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Giovanna Iezzi
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, University G. d'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
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Zoheir AE, Stolle C, Rabe KS. Microfluidics for adaptation of microorganisms to stress: design and application. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 108:162. [PMID: 38252163 PMCID: PMC10803453 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-024-13011-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Microfluidic systems have fundamentally transformed the realm of adaptive laboratory evolution (ALE) for microorganisms by offering unparalleled control over environmental conditions, thereby optimizing mutant generation and desired trait selection. This review summarizes the substantial influence of microfluidic technologies and their design paradigms on microbial adaptation, with a primary focus on leveraging spatial stressor concentration gradients to enhance microbial growth in challenging environments. Specifically, microfluidic platforms tailored for scaled-down ALE processes not only enable highly autonomous and precise setups but also incorporate novel functionalities. These capabilities encompass fostering the growth of biofilms alongside planktonic cells, refining selection gradient profiles, and simulating adaptation dynamics akin to natural habitats. The integration of these aspects enables shaping phenotypes under pressure, presenting an unprecedented avenue for developing robust, stress-resistant strains, a feat not easily attainable using conventional ALE setups. The versatility of these microfluidic systems is not limited to fundamental research but also offers promising applications in various areas of stress resistance. As microfluidic technologies continue to evolve and merge with cutting-edge methodologies, they possess the potential not only to redefine the landscape of microbial adaptation studies but also to expedite advancements in various biotechnological areas. KEY POINTS: • Microfluidics enable precise microbial adaptation in controlled gradients. • Microfluidic ALE offers insights into stress resistance and distinguishes between resistance and persistence. • Integration of adaptation-influencing factors in microfluidic setups facilitates efficient generation of stress-resistant strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed E Zoheir
- Department of Genetics and Cytology, Biotechnology Research Institute, National Research Centre (NRC), 33 El Buhouth St., Dokki, Cairo, 12622, Egypt
| | - Camilla Stolle
- Institute for Biological Interfaces 1 (IBG-1), Biomolecular Micro- and Nanostructures, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Kersten S Rabe
- Institute for Biological Interfaces 1 (IBG-1), Biomolecular Micro- and Nanostructures, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany.
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6
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Cleaver L, Garnett JA. How to study biofilms: technological advancements in clinical biofilm research. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1335389. [PMID: 38156318 PMCID: PMC10753778 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1335389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Biofilm formation is an important survival strategy commonly used by bacteria and fungi, which are embedded in a protective extracellular matrix of organic polymers. They are ubiquitous in nature, including humans and other animals, and they can be surface- and non-surface-associated, making them capable of growing in and on many different parts of the body. Biofilms are also complex, forming polymicrobial communities that are difficult to eradicate due to their unique growth dynamics, and clinical infections associated with biofilms are a huge burden in the healthcare setting, as they are often difficult to diagnose and to treat. Our understanding of biofilm formation and development is a fast-paced and important research focus. This review aims to describe the advancements in clinical biofilm research, including both in vitro and in vivo biofilm models, imaging techniques and techniques to analyse the biological functions of the biofilm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leanne Cleaver
- Centre for Host-Microbiome Interactions, Faculty of Dental, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - James A. Garnett
- Centre for Host-Microbiome Interactions, Faculty of Dental, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
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7
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Zhang Y, Young P, Traini D, Li M, Ong HX, Cheng S. Challenges and current advances in in vitro biofilm characterization. Biotechnol J 2023; 18:e2300074. [PMID: 37477959 DOI: 10.1002/biot.202300074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
Biofilms are structured communities of bacterial cells encased in a self-produced polymeric matrix, which develop over time and exhibit temporal responses to stimuli from internal biological processes or external environmental changes. They can be detrimental, threatening public health and causing economic loss, while they also play beneficial roles in ecosystem health, biotechnology processes, and industrial settings. Biofilms express extreme heterogeneity in their physical properties and structural composition, resulting in critical challenges in understanding them comprehensively. The lack of detailed knowledge of biofilms and their phenotypes has deterred significant progress in developing strategies to control their negative impacts and take advantage of their beneficial applications. A range of in vitro models and characterization tools have been developed and used to study biofilm growth and, specifically, to investigate the impact of environmental and growth factors on their development. This review article discusses the existing knowledge of biofilm properties and explains how external factors, such as flow condition, surface, interface, and host factor, may impact biofilm growth. The limitations of current tools, techniques, and in vitro models that are currently used for biofilms are also presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Zhang
- School of Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Paul Young
- Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Department of Marketing, Macquarie Business School, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Daniela Traini
- Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ming Li
- School of Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Hui Xin Ong
- Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Shaokoon Cheng
- School of Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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8
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Yuan L, Straub H, Shishaeva L, Ren Q. Microfluidics for Biofilm Studies. ANNUAL REVIEW OF ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY (PALO ALTO, CALIF.) 2023; 16:139-159. [PMID: 37314876 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-anchem-091522-103827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Biofilms are multicellular communities held together by a self-produced extracellular matrix and exhibit a set of properties that distinguish them from free-living bacteria. Biofilms are exposed to a variety of mechanical and chemical cues resulting from fluid motion and mass transport. Microfluidics provides the precise control of hydrodynamic and physicochemical microenvironments to study biofilms in general. In this review, we summarize the recent progress made in microfluidics-based biofilm research, including understanding the mechanism of bacterial adhesion and biofilm development, assessment of antifouling and antimicrobial properties, development of advanced in vitro infection models, and advancement in methods to characterize biofilms. Finally, we provide a perspective on the future direction of microfluidics-assisted biofilm research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Yuan
- Oujiang Laboratory (Zhejiang Lab for Regenerative Medicine, Vision and Brain Health), Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou, China;
| | - Hervé Straub
- Laboratory for Biointerfaces, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, St. Gallen, Switzerland;
| | - Liubov Shishaeva
- Laboratory for Biointerfaces, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, St. Gallen, Switzerland;
| | - Qun Ren
- Laboratory for Biointerfaces, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, St. Gallen, Switzerland;
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9
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Ma Y, Deng Y, Hua H, Khoo BL, Chua SL. Distinct bacterial population dynamics and disease dissemination after biofilm dispersal and disassembly. THE ISME JOURNAL 2023:10.1038/s41396-023-01446-5. [PMID: 37270584 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-023-01446-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Microbial communities that form surface-attached biofilms must release and disperse their constituent cells into the environment to colonize fresh sites for continued survival of their species. For pathogens, biofilm dispersal is crucial for microbial transmission from environmental reservoirs to hosts, cross-host transmission, and dissemination of infections across tissues within the host. However, research on biofilm dispersal and its consequences in colonization of fresh sites remain poorly understood. Bacterial cells can depart from biofilms via stimuli-induced dispersal or disassembly due to direct degradation of the biofilm matrix, but the complex heterogeneity of bacterial populations released from biofilms rendered their study difficult. Using a novel 3D-bacterial "biofilm-dispersal-then-recolonization" (BDR) microfluidic model, we demonstrated that Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms undergo distinct spatiotemporal dynamics during chemical-induced dispersal (CID) and enzymatic disassembly (EDA), with contrasting consequences in recolonization and disease dissemination. Active CID required bacteria to employ bdlA dispersal gene and flagella to depart from biofilms as single cells at consistent velocities but could not recolonize fresh surfaces. This prevented the disseminated bacteria cells from infecting lung spheroids and Caenorhabditis elegans in on-chip coculture experiments. In contrast, EDA by degradation of a major biofilm exopolysaccharide (Psl) released immotile aggregates at high initial velocities, enabling the bacteria to recolonize fresh surfaces and cause infections in the hosts efficiently. Hence, biofilm dispersal is more complex than previously thought, where bacterial populations adopting distinct behavior after biofilm departure may be the key to survival of bacterial species and dissemination of diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeping Ma
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yanlin Deng
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, China
| | - Haojun Hua
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, China
| | - Bee Luan Khoo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, China.
- Hong Kong Center for Cerebro-Cardiovascular Health Engineering (COCHE), Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, China.
- Department of Precision Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technology, City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen-Futian Research Institute, Shenzhen, 518057, China.
| | - Song Lin Chua
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China.
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Food Biological Safety Control, Shenzhen, China.
- Research Centre for Deep Space Explorations (RCDSE), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China.
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Tiozzo-Lyon P, Andrade M, Leiva-Sabadini C, Morales J, Olivares A, Ravasio A, Aguayo S. Microfabrication approaches for oral research and clinical dentistry. FRONTIERS IN DENTAL MEDICINE 2023. [DOI: 10.3389/fdmed.2023.1120394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Currently, there is a variety of laboratory tools and strategies that have been developed to investigate in-vivo processes using in-vitro models. Amongst these, microfabrication represents a disruptive technology that is currently enabling next-generation biomedical research through the development of complex laboratory approaches (e.g., microfluidics), engineering of micrometer scale sensors and actuators (micropillars for traction force microscopy), and the creation of environments mimicking cell, tissue, and organ-specific contexts. Although microfabrication has been around for some time, its application in dental and oral research is still incipient. Nevertheless, in recent years multiple lines of research have emerged that use microfabrication-based approaches for the study of oral diseases and conditions with micro- and nano-scale sensitivities. Furthermore, many investigations are aiming to develop clinically relevant microfabrication-based applications for diagnostics, screening, and oral biomaterial manufacturing. Therefore, the objective of this review is to summarize the current application of microfabrication techniques in oral sciences, both in research and clinics, and to discuss possible future applications of these technologies for in-vitro studies and practical patient care. Initially, this review provides an overview of the most employed microfabrication methods utilized in biomedicine and dentistry. Subsequently, the use of micro- and nano-fabrication approaches in relevant fields of dental research such as endodontic and periodontal regeneration, biomaterials research, dental implantology, oral pathology, and biofilms was discussed. Finally, the current and future uses of microfabrication technology for clinical dentistry and how these approaches may soon be widely available in clinics for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of relevant pathologies are presented.
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MBRA-2: a Modified Chemostat System to Culture Biofilms. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0292822. [PMID: 36475832 PMCID: PMC9927502 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02928-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Culture-dependent approaches for investigating microbial ecology aim to model the nutrient content of specific environments by simplifying the system for high-resolution molecular analysis. These in vitro systems are enticing due to their increased throughput compared to animal models, flexibility in modulating nutrient content and community composition, scaling of culture volume to isolate biological molecules, and control of environmental parameters, such as temperature, humidity, and nutrient flow. However, different devices are used to investigate homogenous, planktonic microbial communities and heterogeneous biofilms. Here, we present the minibioreactor array 2 (MBRA-2) with media rails, a benchtop multireactor system derived from the MBRA system that enables researchers to use the same system to grow planktonic and biofilm cultures. We simplified flow through the system and reduced contamination, leakage, and time required for array assembly by designing and implementing a reusable media rail to replace the branched tubing traditionally used to convey media through chemostat arrays. Additionally, we altered the structure of the six-bioreactor strip to incorporate a removable lid to provide easy access to the bioreactor wells, enabling biofilm recovery and thorough cleaning for reuse. Using Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a model biofilm-producing organism, we show that the technical improvements of the MBRA-2 for biofilms growth does not disrupt the function of the bioreactor array. IMPORTANCE The MBRA-2 with media rails provides an accessible system for investigators to culture heterogenous, suspended biofilms under constant flow.
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12
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Straub H, Zuber F, Eberl L, Maniura-Weber K, Ren Q. In Situ Investigation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilm Development: Interplay between Flow, Growth Medium, and Mechanical Properties of Substrate. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:2781-2791. [PMID: 36601891 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c20693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
To better understand the impact of biomaterial mechanical properties and growth medium on bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation under flow, we investigated the biofilm formation ability of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in different media on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) of different stiffness in real time using a microfluidic platform. P. aeruginosa colonization was recorded with optical microscopy and automated image analysis. The bacterial intracellular level of cyclic diguanylate (c-di-GMP), which regulates biofilm formation, was monitored using the transcription of the putative adhesin gene (cdrA) as a proxy. Contrary to the previous supposition, we revealed that PDMS material stiffness within the tested range has negligible impact on biofilm development and biofilm structures, whereas culture media not only influence the kinetics of biofilm development but also affect the biofilm morphology and structure dramatically. Interestingly, magnesium rather than previously reported calcium was identified here to play a decisive role in the formation of dense P. aeruginosa aggregates and high levels of c-di-GMP. These results demonstrate that although short-term adhesion assays bring valuable insight into bacterial and material interactions, long-term evaluations are essential to better predict overall biofilm outcome. The microfluidic system developed here presents a valuable application potential for studying biofilm development in situ. .
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Affiliation(s)
- Hervé Straub
- Laboratory for Biointerfaces, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, St. Gallen CH-9014, Switzerland
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of Zürich, Zürich CH-8008, Switzerland
| | - Flavia Zuber
- Laboratory for Biointerfaces, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, St. Gallen CH-9014, Switzerland
| | - Leo Eberl
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of Zürich, Zürich CH-8008, Switzerland
| | - Katharina Maniura-Weber
- Laboratory for Biointerfaces, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, St. Gallen CH-9014, Switzerland
| | - Qun Ren
- Laboratory for Biointerfaces, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, St. Gallen CH-9014, Switzerland
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13
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Zhang Y, Cai Y, Zeng L, Liu P, Ma LZ, Liu J. A Microfluidic Approach for Quantitative Study of Spatial Heterogeneity in Bacterial Biofilms. SMALL SCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/smsc.202200047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Yuzhen Zhang
- Center for Infectious Disease Research School of Medicine Tsinghua University Beijing 100084 China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences Beijing 100084 China
| | - Yumin Cai
- Center for Infectious Disease Research School of Medicine Tsinghua University Beijing 100084 China
| | - Lingbin Zeng
- Center for Infectious Disease Research School of Medicine Tsinghua University Beijing 100084 China
| | - Peng Liu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering School of Medicine Tsinghua University Beijing 100084 China
| | - Luyan Z. Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources Institute of Microbiology Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing 100101 China
| | - Jintao Liu
- Center for Infectious Disease Research School of Medicine Tsinghua University Beijing 100084 China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences Beijing 100084 China
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14
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Tran VN, Khan F, Han W, Luluil M, Truong VG, Yun HG, Choi S, Kim YM, Shin JH, Kang HW. Real-time monitoring of mono- and dual-species biofilm formation and eradication using microfluidic platform. Sci Rep 2022; 12:9678. [PMID: 35690659 PMCID: PMC9188611 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-13699-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In a human host, bacterial Staphylococcus aureus and fungal Candida albicans pathogens form a mixed biofilm that causes severe mortality and morbidity. However, research on the formation and eradication of mixed biofilms under dynamic conditions is lacking. Thus, this study employed a microfluidic technique to analyze the real-time formation of mono- and dual-species (S. aureus and C. albicans) biofilms and noninvasive optical treatment of the established mature biofilm using 405-nm laser light. A herringbone mixer thoroughly mixed both bacterial and fungal cells in the growth media before being injected into the observation channels on the microfluidic chip. At a flow rate of 1.0 µL/min of growth media for 24 h, the bacterial biofilm coverage was up to 15% higher than that of the fungal biofilm (50% for bacteria vs. 35% for fungus). On the other hand, the dual-species biofilm yielded the highest coverage of ~ 96.5% because of the collective interaction between S. aureus and C. albicans. The number of cell proliferation events in S. aureus was higher than that of C. albicans for 12 h, which indicates that the S. aureus biofilm was developed faster than C. albicans. The novel in situ test platform showed a significant bactericidal effect (80%) of the 405-nm laser light at 1080 J/cm2 towards the established S. aureus biofilm, whereas the same treatment removed approximately 69% of the mixed cells in the dual-species biofilm. This study revealed that the developed microfluidic platform could be utilized to monitor the formation of dual-species biofilms in real-time and laser-induced antimicrobial effects on dual-species biofilms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Van Nam Tran
- Industry 4.0 Convergence Bionics Engineering and Marine-Integrated Biomedical Technology Center, Pukyong National University, Busan, 48513, South Korea
| | - Fazlurrahman Khan
- Research Center for Marine Integrated Bionics Technology, Pukyong National University, Busan, 48513, South Korea
| | - Won Han
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pukyong National University, Busan, 48513, South Korea
| | - Maknuna Luluil
- Industry 4.0 Convergence Bionics Engineering and Marine-Integrated Biomedical Technology Center, Pukyong National University, Busan, 48513, South Korea
| | - Van Gia Truong
- Industry 4.0 Convergence Bionics Engineering and Marine-Integrated Biomedical Technology Center, Pukyong National University, Busan, 48513, South Korea
| | - Hyo Geun Yun
- Department of Electronic Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul, 04763, South Korea
| | - Sungyoung Choi
- Department of Electronic Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul, 04763, South Korea.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul, 04763, South Korea
| | - Young-Mog Kim
- Research Center for Marine Integrated Bionics Technology, Pukyong National University, Busan, 48513, South Korea.,Department of Food Science and Technology, Pukyong National University, Busan, 48513, South Korea
| | - Joong Ho Shin
- Industry 4.0 Convergence Bionics Engineering and Marine-Integrated Biomedical Technology Center, Pukyong National University, Busan, 48513, South Korea. .,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pukyong National University, Busan, 48513, South Korea.
| | - Hyun Wook Kang
- Industry 4.0 Convergence Bionics Engineering and Marine-Integrated Biomedical Technology Center, Pukyong National University, Busan, 48513, South Korea. .,Research Center for Marine Integrated Bionics Technology, Pukyong National University, Busan, 48513, South Korea. .,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pukyong National University, Busan, 48513, South Korea.
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15
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Tang PC, Eriksson O, Sjögren J, Fatsis-Kavalopoulos N, Kreuger J, Andersson DI. A Microfluidic Chip for Studies of the Dynamics of Antibiotic Resistance Selection in Bacterial Biofilms. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:896149. [PMID: 35619647 PMCID: PMC9128571 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.896149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Biofilms are arguably the most important mode of growth of bacteria, but how antibiotic resistance emerges and is selected in biofilms remains poorly understood. Several models to study evolution of antibiotic resistance have been developed, however, their usability varies depending on the nature of the biological question. Here, we developed and validated a microfluidic chip (Brimor) for studying the dynamics of enrichment of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in biofilms using real-time monitoring with confocal microscopy. In situ extracellular cellulose staining and physical disruption of the biomass confirmed Escherichia coli growth as biofilms in the chip. We showed that seven generations of growth occur in 16 h when biofilms were established in the growth chambers of Brimor, and that bacterial death and growth rates could be estimated under these conditions using a plasmid with a conditional replication origin. Additionally, competition experiments between antibiotic-susceptible and -resistant bacteria at sub-inhibitory concentrations demonstrated that the antibiotic ciprofloxacin selected for antibiotic resistance in bacterial biofilms at concentrations 17-fold below the minimal inhibitory concentration of susceptible planktonic bacteria. Overall, the microfluidic chip is easy to use and a relevant model for studying the dynamics of selection of antibiotic resistance in bacterial biofilms and we anticipate that the Brimor chip will facilitate basic research in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Po-Cheng Tang
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Olle Eriksson
- U-Print, Uppsala University 3D-Printing Facility, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | | | - Johan Kreuger
- Department of Medical Cell Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- *Correspondence: Dan I. Andersson, ; Johan Kreuger,
| | - Dan I. Andersson
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- *Correspondence: Dan I. Andersson, ; Johan Kreuger,
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16
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Role of the flagellar hook in the structural development and antibiotic tolerance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms. THE ISME JOURNAL 2022; 16:1176-1186. [PMID: 34880458 PMCID: PMC8940932 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-021-01157-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms exhibit an intrinsic resistance to antibiotics and constitute a considerable clinical threat. In cystic fibrosis, a common feature of biofilms formed by P. aeruginosa in the airway is the occurrence of mutants deficient in flagellar motility. This study investigates the impact of flagellum deletion on the structure and antibiotic tolerance of P. aeruginosa biofilms, and highlights a role for the flagellum in adaptation and cell survival during biofilm development. Mutations in the flagellar hook protein FlgE influence greatly P. aeruginosa biofilm structuring and antibiotic tolerance. Phenotypic analysis of the flgE knockout mutant compared to the wild type (WT) reveal increased fitness under planktonic conditions, reduced initial adhesion but enhanced formation of microcolony aggregates in a microfluidic environment, and decreased expression of genes involved in exopolysaccharide formation. Biofilm cells of the flgE knock-out mutant display enhanced tolerance towards multiple antibiotics, whereas its planktonic cells show similar resistance to the WT. Confocal microscopy of biofilms demonstrates that gentamicin does not affect the viability of cells located in the inner part of the flgE knock-out mutant biofilms due to reduced penetration. These findings suggest that deficiency in flagellar proteins like FlgE in biofilms and in cystic fibrosis infections represent phenotypic and evolutionary adaptations that alter the structure of P. aeruginosa biofilms conferring increased antibiotic tolerance.
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17
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Cruz A, Condinho M, Carvalho B, Arraiano CM, Pobre V, Pinto SN. The Two Weapons against Bacterial Biofilms: Detection and Treatment. Antibiotics (Basel) 2021; 10:1482. [PMID: 34943694 PMCID: PMC8698905 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics10121482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial biofilms are defined as complex aggregates of bacteria that grow attached to surfaces or are associated with interfaces. Bacteria within biofilms are embedded in a self-produced extracellular matrix made of polysaccharides, nucleic acids, and proteins. It is recognized that bacterial biofilms are responsible for the majority of microbial infections that occur in the human body, and that biofilm-related infections are extremely difficult to treat. This is related with the fact that microbial cells in biofilms exhibit increased resistance levels to antibiotics in comparison with planktonic (free-floating) cells. In the last years, the introduction into the market of novel compounds that can overcome the resistance to antimicrobial agents associated with biofilm infection has slowed down. If this situation is not altered, millions of lives are at risk, and this will also strongly affect the world economy. As such, research into the identification and eradication of biofilms is important for the future of human health. In this sense, this article provides an overview of techniques developed to detect and imaging biofilms as well as recent strategies that can be applied to treat biofilms during the several biofilm formation steps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Cruz
- iBB—Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal;
- i4HB—Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Manuel Condinho
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal; (M.C.); (B.C.); (C.M.A.)
| | - Beatriz Carvalho
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal; (M.C.); (B.C.); (C.M.A.)
| | - Cecília M. Arraiano
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal; (M.C.); (B.C.); (C.M.A.)
| | - Vânia Pobre
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal; (M.C.); (B.C.); (C.M.A.)
| | - Sandra N. Pinto
- iBB—Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal;
- i4HB—Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
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18
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Zhang J, Zhang M, Wang Y, Donarski E, Gahlmann A. Optically Accessible Microfluidic Flow Channels for Noninvasive High-Resolution Biofilm Imaging Using Lattice Light Sheet Microscopy. J Phys Chem B 2021; 125:12187-12196. [PMID: 34714647 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.1c07759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Imaging platforms that enable long-term, high-resolution imaging of biofilms are required to study cellular level dynamics within bacterial biofilms. By combining high spatial and temporal resolution and low phototoxicity, lattice light sheet microscopy (LLSM) has made critical contributions to the study of cellular dynamics. However, the power of LLSM has not yet been leveraged for biofilm research because the open-on-top imaging geometry using water-immersion objective lenses is not compatible with living bacterial specimens; bacterial growth on the microscope's objective lenses makes long-term time-lapse imaging impossible and raises considerable safety concerns for microscope users. To make LLSM compatible with pathogenic bacterial specimens, we developed hermetically sealed, but optically accessible, microfluidic flow channels that can sustain bacterial biofilm growth for multiple days under precisely controllable physical and chemical conditions. To generate a liquid- and gas-tight seal, we glued a thin polymer film across a 3D-printed channel, where the top wall had been omitted. We achieved negligible optical aberrations by using polymer films that precisely match the refractive index of water. Bacteria do not adhere to the polymer film itself, so that the polymer window provides unobstructed optical access to the channel interior. Inside the flow channels, biofilms can be grown on arbitrary, even nontransparent, surfaces. By integrating this flow channel with LLSM, we were able to record the growth of S. oneidensis MR-1 biofilms over several days at cellular resolution without any observable phototoxicity or photodamage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22904, United States
| | - Mingxing Zhang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110819, China
| | - Yibo Wang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22904, United States
| | - Eric Donarski
- Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22904, United States
| | - Andreas Gahlmann
- Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22904, United States.,Department of Molecular Physiology & Biological Physics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia 22903, United States
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19
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A Selection of Platforms to Evaluate Surface Adhesion and Biofilm Formation in Controlled Hydrodynamic Conditions. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9091993. [PMID: 34576888 PMCID: PMC8468346 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9091993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2021] [Revised: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The early colonization of surfaces and subsequent biofilm development have severe impacts in environmental, industrial, and biomedical settings since they entail high costs and health risks. To develop more effective biofilm control strategies, there is a need to obtain laboratory biofilms that resemble those found in natural or man-made settings. Since microbial adhesion and biofilm formation are strongly affected by hydrodynamics, the knowledge of flow characteristics in different marine, food processing, and medical device locations is essential. Once the hydrodynamic conditions are known, platforms for cell adhesion and biofilm formation should be selected and operated, in order to obtain reproducible biofilms that mimic those found in target scenarios. This review focuses on the most widely used platforms that enable the study of initial microbial adhesion and biofilm formation under controlled hydrodynamic conditions—modified Robbins devices, flow chambers, rotating biofilm devices, microplates, and microfluidic devices—and where numerical simulations have been used to define relevant flow characteristics, namely the shear stress and shear rate.
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20
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Blanco-Cabra N, López-Martínez MJ, Arévalo-Jaimes BV, Martin-Gómez MT, Samitier J, Torrents E. A new BiofilmChip device for testing biofilm formation and antibiotic susceptibility. NPJ Biofilms Microbiomes 2021; 7:62. [PMID: 34344902 PMCID: PMC8333102 DOI: 10.1038/s41522-021-00236-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Currently, three major circumstances threaten the management of bacterial infections: increasing antimicrobial resistance, expansion of chronic biofilm-associated infections, and lack of an appropriate approach to treat them. To date, the development of accelerated drug susceptibility testing of biofilms and of new antibiofouling systems has not been achieved despite the availability of different methodologies. There is a need for easy-to-use methods of testing the antibiotic susceptibility of bacteria that form biofilms and for screening new possible antibiofilm strategies. Herein, we present a microfluidic platform with an integrated interdigitated sensor (BiofilmChip). This new device allows an irreversible and homogeneous attachment of bacterial cells of clinical origin, even directly from clinical specimens, and the biofilms grown can be monitored by confocal microscopy or electrical impedance spectroscopy. The device proved to be suitable to study polymicrobial communities, as well as to measure the effect of antimicrobials on biofilms without introducing disturbances due to manipulation, thus better mimicking real-life clinical situations. Our results demonstrate that BiofilmChip is a straightforward tool for antimicrobial biofilm susceptibility testing that could be easily implemented in routine clinical laboratories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Núria Blanco-Cabra
- Bacterial Infections and Antimicrobial Therapies Group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria José López-Martínez
- Nanobioengineering Group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
- Networking Biomedical Research Center in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN) Monforte de Lemos 3-5, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Electronics and Biomedical Engineering, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Betsy Verónica Arévalo-Jaimes
- Bacterial Infections and Antimicrobial Therapies Group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Josep Samitier
- Nanobioengineering Group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
- Networking Biomedical Research Center in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN) Monforte de Lemos 3-5, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Electronics and Biomedical Engineering, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Eduard Torrents
- Bacterial Infections and Antimicrobial Therapies Group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain.
- Microbiology Section, Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
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21
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Pinck S, Ostormujof LM, Teychené S, Erable B. Microfluidic Microbial Bioelectrochemical Systems: An Integrated Investigation Platform for a More Fundamental Understanding of Electroactive Bacterial Biofilms. Microorganisms 2020; 8:E1841. [PMID: 33238493 PMCID: PMC7700166 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8111841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Revised: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
It is the ambition of many researchers to finally be able to close in on the fundamental, coupled phenomena that occur during the formation and expression of electrocatalytic activity in electroactive biofilms. It is because of this desire to understand that bioelectrochemical systems (BESs) have been miniaturized into microBES by taking advantage of the worldwide development of microfluidics. Microfluidics tools applied to bioelectrochemistry permit even more fundamental studies of interactions and coupled phenomena occurring at the microscale, thanks, in particular, to the concomitant combination of electroanalysis, spectroscopic analytical techniques and real-time microscopy that is now possible. The analytical microsystem is therefore much better suited to the monitoring, not only of electroactive biofilm formation but also of the expression and disentangling of extracellular electron transfer (EET) catalytic mechanisms. This article reviews the details of the configurations of microfluidic BESs designed for selected objectives and their microfabrication techniques. Because the aim is to manipulate microvolumes and due to the high modularity of the experimental systems, the interfacial conditions between electrodes and electrolytes are perfectly controlled in terms of physicochemistry (pH, nutrients, chemical effectors, etc.) and hydrodynamics (shear, material transport, etc.). Most of the theoretical advances have been obtained thanks to work carried out using models of electroactive bacteria monocultures, mainly to simplify biological investigation systems. However, a huge virgin field of investigation still remains to be explored by taking advantage of the capacities of microfluidic BESs regarding the complexity and interactions of mixed electroactive biofilms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Benjamin Erable
- Laboratoire de Génie Chimique, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, INPT, UPS, 31432 Toulouse, France; (S.P.); (L.M.O.); (S.T.)
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