title: Role of extracellular DNA in initial bacterial adhesion and surface aggregation.
abstract: Extracellular DNA (eDNA) is an important component of the biofilm matrix. We show that removal of eDNA from Gram-positive bacteria reduces initial adhesion to and aggregation of bacteria on surfaces. Thermodynamic analyses indicated that eDNA introduces favorable acid-base interactions, explaining the effect of eDNA on aggregation and adhesion to the surface.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands.
authors.forename: Theerthankar
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Das
authors.forename: Prashant K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: Henk J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Busscher
authors.forename: Henny C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: van der Mei
authors.forename: Bastiaan P
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Krom
mesh_terms: D001422:Bacterial Adhesion / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D018441:Biofilms; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism*; D006094:Gram-Positive Bacteria / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism*; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D009154:Mutation
chemical_list: D004247:DNA