title: Role of electrostatic interactions in cohesion of bacterial biofilms.
abstract: Significant decreases in the apparent viscosity of a bacterial biofilm suspension were measured following addition of sodium, potassium, magnesium, or calcium salts, whereas iron salts increased the viscosity. Electrostatic interactions contribute to biofilm cohesion and iron cations are potent crosslinkers of the biofilm matrix.
authors.affiliation: Center ofr Biofilm Engineering and Department of Chemical Engineering, Montana State University - Bozeman, Montana 59717-3980, USA.
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: P S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Stewart
mesh_terms: D018441:Biofilms; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents / Q000494:pharmacology; D007711:Klebsiella pneumoniae / Q000502:physiology*; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000502:physiology*; D012492:Salts / Q000494:pharmacology; D055672:Static Electricity; D014783:Viscosity
chemical_list: D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D012492:Salts