Aqueous two-phase system-derived biofilms for bacterial interaction studies.
We describe patterning of bacterial biofilms using polymer-based aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) microprinting protocols. The fully aqueous but selectively bacteria-partitioning nature of the ATPS allows spatially distinct localization of suspensions of bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli with high precision. The ATPS patterned bacterial suspensions form spatially distinct biofilms over time. Due to the fully aqueous and gentle noncontact printing procedures employed, coculture biofilms composed of multiple types of bacteria could be printed not only adjacent to each other but also directly over another layer of existing biofilm. In addition, the ATPS environment also allows free diffusion of small molecules between spatially distinct and localized bacterial suspensions and biofilms. This enables biofilms to chemically affect or be affected by neighboring biofilms or planktonic cells, even if they consist of different strains or species. We show that a β-lactamase producing biofilm confers ampicillin resistance to neighboring nonresistant planktonic cells, as seen by a 3,600-fold increase in survival of the ampicillin-sensitive strain. These examples demonstrate the ability of ATPS-based biofilm patterning methods to enable unique studies on commensalistic effects between bacterial species.
School of Nano-Bioscience and Chemical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Banyeon-ri 100, Ulsan, 689-798, Republic of Korea.
Toshiyuki
T
Yaguchi
Mohammed
M
Dwidar
Chang Kyu
CK
Byun
Brendan
B
Leung
Siseon
S
Lee
Yoon-Kyoung
YK
Cho
Robert J
RJ
Mitchell
Shuichi
S
Takayama
D000667:Ampicillin / Q000494:pharmacology; D000668:Ampicillin Resistance; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development*; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis*; D003911:Dextrans / Q000737:chemistry*; D004058:Diffusion; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics; D022761:Gene Transfer, Horizontal; D056265:Microbial Interactions / Q000235:genetics; D010933:Plankton / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development*; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry*; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry; D001618:beta-Lactamases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D003911:Dextrans; D014867:Water; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D000667:Ampicillin; D001618:beta-Lactamases