Material properties of biofilms—key methods for understanding permeability and mechanics
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Material properties of.pdf
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512.89 KB
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Author(s)
Billings, Nicole
Birjiniuk, Alona
Ribbeck, Katharina
Samad, Tahoura Sajida
Doyle, Patrick S.
Alternative Title
Material properties of biofilms—a review of methods for understanding permeability and mechanics
Date Issued
February 2015
Journal
Reports on Progress in Physics
Publisher
IOP Publishing
Citation
Billings, Nicole, Alona Birjiniuk, Tahoura S Samad, Patrick S Doyle, and Katharina Ribbeck. “Material Properties of Biofilms—a Review of Methods for Understanding Permeability and Mechanics.” Reports on Progress in Physics 78, no. 3 (February 1, 2015): 036601.
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Author's final manuscript
Abstract
Microorganisms can form biofilms, which are multicellular communities surrounded by a hydrated extracellular matrix of polymers. Central properties of the biofilm are governed by this extracellular matrix, which provides mechanical stability to the 3D biofilm structure, regulates the ability of the biofilm to adhere to surfaces, and determines the ability of the biofilm to adsorb gases, solutes, and foreign cells. Despite their critical relevance for understanding and eliminating of biofilms, the materials properties of the extracellular matrix are understudied. Here, we offer the reader a guide to current technologies that can be utilized to specifically assess the permeability and mechanical properties of the biofilm matrix and its interacting components. In particular, we highlight technological advances in instrumentation and interactions between multiple disciplines that have broadened the spectrum of methods available to conduct these studies. We review pioneering work that furthers our understanding of the material properties of biofilms.
MIT Department
Harvard University--MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Biological Engineering
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Chemical Engineering
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DOI of Published Version
http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/0034-4885/78/3/036601
