Study Reveals Biofilms Actively Shape Environments

Dental plaque, gut bacteria, and the slimy coating on river rocks are all manifestations of biofilms—organized communities of microorganisms shaping our bodies and the environment. A groundbreaking study led by Penn State researchers unveils the intricate ways in which growing biofilms actively mould their surroundings, shedding light on potential applications in disease management and the development of innovative living materials.

Understanding Bacterial Growth Forces

Professor Sulin Zhang, from Penn State’s engineering science and mechanics and biomedical engineering departments, spearheaded the investigation. The research focused on comprehending the reciprocal interactions between growing biofilms and their environment. Zhang emphasized the importance of bacteria’s growth, division, and applied forces in shaping their surroundings, prompting a quest to unravel these dynamic interactions.

An interdisciplinary team, including researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Yale, collaborated on this study. Vibrio cholerae, a bacterium known to cause cholera, served as the model system for demonstrating the self-shaping and self-organizing capabilities of a 3D growing system.

Unveiling the Intricacies of Bacterial Cooperation

Biofilms as Active Nematics

The researchers grew biofilms between a soft hydrogel and a stiff glass substrate to mimic the confined spaces where biofilms naturally flourish. Through single-cell imaging, agent-based simulations, and continuum mechanics theory, they observed the formation of “active nematics”—an efficient arrangement of self-propelled molecules in parallel lines.

Jing Yan, co-corresponding author and assistant professor at Yale University, highlighted the significance of the findings in healthcare. Biofilms, playing a substantial role in disease growth, particularly in evading the immune response, pose a challenge in conventional antibiotic treatment. The study’s insights into the coordinated nature of bacterial biofilms offer a promising avenue for disrupting and controlling biofilm-driven diseases.

Biofilm Insights for Future Strategies

Changhao Li, a doctoral candidate in computational mechanics at Penn State and co-author, emphasized that the study’s revelations could lead to new strategies for suppressing harmful biofilm growth. The understanding of the feedback loop between biofilm growth, generated stress, and the environment opens avenues for designing and programming beneficial biofilms, potentially revolutionizing medical interventions.

New Approach Offers Hope in Battle Against Dental Caries