title: Role of silver ions in destabilization of intermolecular adhesion forces measured by atomic force microscopy in Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilms.
abstract: In this paper, we report on the potential use of atomic force microscopy (AFM) as a tool to measure the intermolecular forces in biofilm structures and to study the effect of silver ions on sessile Staphylococcus epidermidis cell viability and stability. We propose a strategy of destabilizing the biofilm matrix by reducing the intermolecular forces within the extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs) using a low concentration (50 ppb) of silver ions. Our AFM studies on the intermolecular forces within the EPSs of S. epidermidis RP62A and S.epidermidis 1457 biofilms suggest that the silver ions can destabilize the biofilm matrix by binding to electron donor groups of the biological molecules. This leads to reductions in the number of binding sites for hydrogen bonds and electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions and, hence, the destabilization of the biofilm structure.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, 31 Biopolis Way, The Nanos #04-01, Singapore 138669.
authors.forename: K C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Chaw
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Manimaran
authors.forename: Francis E H
authors.initials: FE
authors.lastname: Tay
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects*; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D012834:Silver / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013212:Staphylococcus epidermidis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D012834:Silver