细菌定植机体造成感染严重威胁人类健康。细菌和机体组织表面间的黏附力是导致细菌定植的先决条件。粪肠球菌长期定植根管牙本质造成根尖周病变是导致拔牙的主要原因。如何有效清除黏附的粪肠球菌是目前一大临床难题。本项目将综合运用实验分析和理论模拟手段阐明粪肠球菌黏附力机制，首先用AFM单细胞力测定技术识别黏附力影响因素并表征其作用大小，明确特异性和非特性作用力对黏附力的贡献；基于已获得的实验数据，依据粪肠球菌与牙本质间黏附力各主要作用的能量关系，建立粪肠球菌与牙本质黏附力的数理模型。在掌握粪肠球菌黏附力机制基础上，探索促进粪肠球菌脱黏附的理化方法。本项目是微生物学、细胞生物学、微观力学、理论物理模型分析等多学科交叉问题，通过本项目研究，我们力争拓宽力学与微生物学等学科的交叉研究领域，为研发抑制和减少粪肠球菌黏附的新技术和新方法提供重要实验依据，为解决细菌在机体的定植提供新线索。

Bacterial colonization in the human body causes infection, which severely threatens health. Bacterial adhesion forces between microorganisms and tissues are a prerequisite for the colonization. A main reason why root canal treated teeth are extracted is due to persistent infection caused by Enterococcus faecalis. Effective eradication of adherent Enterococcus faecalis on dentine is a principal clinical problem. This project will use a combination of experimental analysis and simulation models to clarify adhesion mechanisms of Enterococcus faecalis. AFM will be used to measure single bacterium adhesion force, and clarify the specific and non-specific force contributing to overall adhesion. Based on the data obtained, an adhesion simulation model will be developed in terms of energy functions of interaction. With this new understanding of Enterococcus faecalis adhesion mechanisms, new initiatives using physicochemical methods to improve detachment of adherent Enterococcus faecalis will be explored. This project crosses the disciplines of microbiology, cell biology, micro-mechanics and theoretical model analysis, expanding the scope of mechanics in solving multidisciplinary problems. The data obtained would support the development of new methods in suppressing and reducing diseases caused by Enterococcus faecalis as well as facilitate our understanding of its process of colonization.