Design and construction of 3D printed devices to investigate active and passive bacterial dispersal on hydrated surfaces.

ABSTRACT:

Background

To disperse in water-unsaturated environments, such as the soil, bacteria rely on the availability and structure of water films forming on biotic and abiotic surfaces, and, especially, along fungal mycelia. Dispersal along such "fungal highways" may be driven both by mycelial physical properties and by interactions between bacteria and fungi. However, we still do not have a way to disentangle the biotic and abiotic elements.

Results

We designed and 3D printed two devices establishing stable liquid films that support bacteria dispersal in the absence of biotic interactions. The thickness of the liquid film determined the presence of hydraulic flow capable of transporting non-motile cells. In the absence of flow, only motile cells can disperse in the presence of an

SUBMITTER: Kuhn T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9476585 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature