Biofilms as complex fluids
Biofilms as complex fluids
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DOI：
10.1557/mrs.2011.71
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发表时间：
2011-05-01
期刊：
影响因子：
5
通讯作者：
Weitz, David A.
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Wilking, James N.;Angelini, Thomas E.;Weitz, David A.
细菌生物膜是嵌入主要由聚合物和蛋白质组成的细胞外基质中的细菌的界面相关菌落。可以在软物质物理学的背景下看待它们：坚硬的细菌类似于胶体，细胞外基质是一种交联的聚合物凝胶。这种观点有助于理解生物膜的结构、力学和动力学。细菌通过控制细胞外基质的组成来调节生物膜的水分含量，从而控制生物膜的机械性能。明确定义的软材料的力学可以提供对生物膜的力学，特别是粘弹性的洞察。此外，基因表达的空间异质性造成了聚合物和表面活性剂生产的异质性。由此产生的浓度梯度在生物膜内产生与生物膜扩散和生存相关的力。
Bacterial biofilms are interface-associated colonies of bacteria embedded in an extracellular matrix that is composed primarily of polymers and proteins. They can be viewed in the context of soft matter physics: the rigid bacteria are analogous to colloids, and the extracellular matrix is a cross-linked polymer gel. This perspective is beneficial for understanding the structure, mechanics, and dynamics of the biofilm. Bacteria regulate the water content of the biofilm by controlling the composition of the extracellular matrix, and thereby controlling the mechanical properties. The mechanics of well-defined soft materials can provide insight into the mechanics of biofilms and, in particular, the viscoelasticity. Furthermore, spatial heterogeneities in gene expression create heterogeneities in polymer and surfactant production. The resulting concentration gradients generate forces within the biofilm that are relevant for biofilm spreading and survival.