Construction of biofilms with defined internal architecture using dielectrophoresis and flocculation.
A novel approach was developed for the construction of biofilms with defined internal architecture using AC electrokinetics and flocculation. Artificial structured microbial consortia (ASMC) consisting of localized layered microcolonies of different cell types were formed by sequentially attracting different cell types to high field regions near microelectrodes using dielectrophoresis. Stabilization of the microbial consortia on the electrode surface was achieved by crosslinking the cells using the flocculant polyethyleneimine (PEI). Consortia of Escherichia coli, Micrococcus luteus, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae were made as model systems. Also, more natural consortia were made of the bacteria Pseudomonas putida, Clavibacter michiganense, and Methylobacterium mesophilum, which are found together in consortia during biodegradation of metal-cutting waste fluids.
Biochemical Engineering Research Group, Department of Chemical Engineering, UMIST, P.O. Box 88, Sackville Street, Manchester M60 1QD, United Kingdom.
Cynthia E
CE
Verduzco-Luque
Burçak
B
Alp
Gillian M
GM
Stephens
Gerard H
GH
Markx
D000192:Actinomycetales / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000528:radiation effects; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000528:radiation effects; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D004586:Electrophoresis / Q000379:methods*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D005427:Flocculation; D020580:Methylobacterium / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D016982:Micrococcus luteus / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D011094:Polyethyleneimine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016958:Pseudomonas putida / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
D011094:Polyethyleneimine