Measuring bacterial attachment forces

Catherine M. Herne; Carrie J. Smithing; Max T. Hartman; Megan A. Ferguson

doi:10.1117/12.2594933

3 August 2021 Measuring bacterial attachment forces

Catherine M. Herne, Carrie J. Smithing, Max T. Hartman, Megan A. Ferguson

Proceedings Volume 11798, Optical Trapping and Optical Micromanipulation XVIII; 1179807 (2021) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2594933
Event: SPIE Nanoscience + Engineering, 2021, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Predatory bacteria are an exciting area of investigation with great promise. Their impressive ability to devour other bacteria make them ideal candidates for clearing pathogens from the environment, water supply, and even the body. However, scientists are still learning how these bacteria grow and consume their hosts. We are studying Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus, one of these predatory bacteria. We have been investigating the process of B. bacteriovorus attaching to prey cells of Escherichia coli in order to learn how they identify their prey, latch onto it, and then burrow into it. Measurements using atomic force microscopy (AFM) at different times during these processes have been made. Optical tweezers offer an alternative to the AFM for making measurements and learning about the attachment processes of B. bacteriovorus. Bacteria such as E. coli (1 – 2 µm long) and B. bacteriovorus (0.50 - 1 µm long) are a material and size that is easy to trap. Fluid solutions are the ideal medium for optical trapping measurements, and so it is readily possible to examine the bacteria during the attachment process. To this end, we trap one B. bacteriovorus cell in a single trap and move it close to a surface coated with E. coli, then move it away from the surface after increasingly long periods of time. This work shows preliminary measurements of attachment forces of predatory bacteria to their prey and correlates these measurements with those taken with the AFM.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

Catherine M. Herne, Carrie J. Smithing, Max T. Hartman, and Megan A. Ferguson "Measuring bacterial attachment forces", Proc. SPIE 11798, Optical Trapping and Optical Micromanipulation XVIII, 1179807 (3 August 2021); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2594933

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available