Microfluidics unveils role of gravity and shear stress on Pseudomonas fluorescens motility and biofilm growth
Abstract Biofilm proliferation in confined environments is a challenge in biomedical, industrial, and space applications. Surfaces in contact with fluids experience varying bulk stresses due to flow and gravity, factors often overlooked in biofilm studies. This research quantifies the combined effec...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Nature Portfolio
2025-07-01
|
| Series: | npj Biofilms and Microbiomes |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41522-025-00744-4 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849403121222025216 |
|---|---|
| author | Daniele Marra Moreno Rizzo Sergio Caserta |
| author_facet | Daniele Marra Moreno Rizzo Sergio Caserta |
| author_sort | Daniele Marra |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Biofilm proliferation in confined environments is a challenge in biomedical, industrial, and space applications. Surfaces in contact with fluids experience varying bulk stresses due to flow and gravity, factors often overlooked in biofilm studies. This research quantifies the combined effect of gravity and shear stress on Pseudomonas fluorescens SBW25 motility and biofilm growth. Using a rectangular-section microfluidic channel under laminar flow, we compared top and bottom surfaces, where gravity either pulls bacteria away or pushes them toward the surface. Results revealed an asymmetric bacterial distribution, leading to varying surface cell densities and contamination levels. We also analyzed spatial reorganization over time and classified bacterial motility under flow. Findings show that external mechanical stresses influence both motility and biofilm morphology, impacting biocontamination patterns based on shear stress and gravity direction. This study provides insights into biofilm control strategies in diverse environments. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e3f45dcbf8dd43c48e6ce694474047ea |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2055-5008 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | npj Biofilms and Microbiomes |
| spelling | doaj-art-e3f45dcbf8dd43c48e6ce694474047ea2025-08-20T03:37:20ZengNature Portfolionpj Biofilms and Microbiomes2055-50082025-07-0111111410.1038/s41522-025-00744-4Microfluidics unveils role of gravity and shear stress on Pseudomonas fluorescens motility and biofilm growthDaniele Marra0Moreno Rizzo1Sergio Caserta2DICMaPI, Università di Napoli Federico IIDICMaPI, Università di Napoli Federico IIDICMaPI, Università di Napoli Federico IIAbstract Biofilm proliferation in confined environments is a challenge in biomedical, industrial, and space applications. Surfaces in contact with fluids experience varying bulk stresses due to flow and gravity, factors often overlooked in biofilm studies. This research quantifies the combined effect of gravity and shear stress on Pseudomonas fluorescens SBW25 motility and biofilm growth. Using a rectangular-section microfluidic channel under laminar flow, we compared top and bottom surfaces, where gravity either pulls bacteria away or pushes them toward the surface. Results revealed an asymmetric bacterial distribution, leading to varying surface cell densities and contamination levels. We also analyzed spatial reorganization over time and classified bacterial motility under flow. Findings show that external mechanical stresses influence both motility and biofilm morphology, impacting biocontamination patterns based on shear stress and gravity direction. This study provides insights into biofilm control strategies in diverse environments.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41522-025-00744-4 |
| spellingShingle | Daniele Marra Moreno Rizzo Sergio Caserta Microfluidics unveils role of gravity and shear stress on Pseudomonas fluorescens motility and biofilm growth npj Biofilms and Microbiomes |
| title | Microfluidics unveils role of gravity and shear stress on Pseudomonas fluorescens motility and biofilm growth |
| title_full | Microfluidics unveils role of gravity and shear stress on Pseudomonas fluorescens motility and biofilm growth |
| title_fullStr | Microfluidics unveils role of gravity and shear stress on Pseudomonas fluorescens motility and biofilm growth |
| title_full_unstemmed | Microfluidics unveils role of gravity and shear stress on Pseudomonas fluorescens motility and biofilm growth |
| title_short | Microfluidics unveils role of gravity and shear stress on Pseudomonas fluorescens motility and biofilm growth |
| title_sort | microfluidics unveils role of gravity and shear stress on pseudomonas fluorescens motility and biofilm growth |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41522-025-00744-4 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT danielemarra microfluidicsunveilsroleofgravityandshearstressonpseudomonasfluorescensmotilityandbiofilmgrowth AT morenorizzo microfluidicsunveilsroleofgravityandshearstressonpseudomonasfluorescensmotilityandbiofilmgrowth AT sergiocaserta microfluidicsunveilsroleofgravityandshearstressonpseudomonasfluorescensmotilityandbiofilmgrowth |