Journal article
Coupled electrostatic, hydrodynamic, and mechanical properties of bacterial interfaces in aqueous media
F Gaboriaud, ML Gee, R Strugnell, JFL Duval
Langmuir | AMER CHEMICAL SOC | Published : 2008
DOI: 10.1021/la800258n
Abstract
The interactions of bacteria with their environment are governed by a complex interplay between biological and physicochemical phenomena. The main challenge is the joint determination of the intertwined interfacial characteristics of bacteria such as mechanical and hydrodynamic softness, interfacial heterogeneity, and electrostatic properties. In this study, we have combined electrokinetics and force spectroscopy to unravel this intricate coupling for two types of Shewanella bacterial strains that vary according to the nature of their outer, permeable, charged gel-like layers. The theoretical interpretation of the bacterial electrokinetic response allows for the estimation of the hydrodynami..
View full abstractGrants
Funding Acknowledgements
We thank Etienne Dague for measuring the electrokinetic data, James A. Holden and Vincent Spiehler for assistance with growing the cells, and the CNRS communication service in Nancy (Nathalie Nevez, Celine Delalex, DR6). F.G. thanks M. L. Gee for accommodating him in her group during an 8 month sabbatical. This publication was also made possible in part by a grant from the CNRS program (CNRS cooperation 17990). F.G. also acknowledges the Particulate Fluids Processing Centre, the School of Chemistry (Melbourne University), and Asylum Research (Santa Barbara, CA) for providing some of the experimental and technical facilities. R.S. is supported by the National Health and Medical Research Council and are members of the Bacterial Pathogenesis Research Program.