Microfluidic investigation of the impacts of flow fluctuations on the development of Pseudomonas putida biofilms.

ABSTRACT: Biofilms play critical roles in wastewater treatment, bioremediation, and medical-device-related infections. Understanding the dynamics of biofilm formation and growth is essential for controlling and exploiting their properties. However, the majority of current studies have focused on the impact of steady flows on biofilm growth, while flow fluctuations are common in natural and engineered systems such as water pipes and blood vessels. Here, we reveal the effects of flow fluctuations on the development of Pseudomonas putida biofilms through systematic microfluidic experiments and the development of a theoretical model. Our experimental results showed that biofilm growth under fluctuating flow conditions followed three phases: lag, exponential, and fluctuation phases. In contrast, biofilm

SUBMITTER: Wei G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10547774 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature