Influence of polyelectrolyte film stiffness on bacterial growth.

ABSTRACT: Photo-cross-linkable polyelectrolyte films, whose nanomechanical properties can be varied under UV light illumination, were prepared from poly(l-lysine) (PLL) and a hyaluronan derivative modified with photoreactive vinylbenzyl groups (HAVB). The adhesion and the growth of two model bacteria, namely Escherichia coli and Lactococcus lactis , were studied on non-cross-linked and cross-linked films to investigate how the film stiffness influences the bacterial behavior. While the Gram positive L. lactis was shown to grow slowly on both films, independently of their rigidity, the Gram negative E. coli exhibited a more rapid growth on non-cross-linked softer films compared to the stiffer ones. Experiments performed on photopatterned films showing both soft and stiff regions, confirmed a f

SUBMITTER: Saha N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4312771 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature