title: Effect of micro- and nanoscale topography on the adhesion of bacterial cells to solid surfaces.
abstract: Attachment and biofilm formation by bacterial pathogens on surfaces in natural, industrial, and hospital settings lead to infections and illnesses and even death. Minimizing bacterial attachment to surfaces using controlled topography could reduce the spreading of pathogens and, thus, the incidence of illnesses and subsequent human and financial losses. In this context, the attachment of key microorganisms, including Escherichia coli, Listeria innocua, and Pseudomonas fluorescens, to silica and alumina surfaces with micron and nanoscale topography was investigated. The results suggest that orientation of the attached cells occurs preferentially such as to maximize their contact area with the surface. Moreover, the bacterial cells exhibited different morphologies, including different number and size of cellular appendages, depending on the topographical details of the surface to which they attached. This suggests that bacteria may utilize different mechanisms of attachment in response to surface topography. These results are important for the design of novel microbe-repellant materials.
authors: Department of Food Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA.
authors: Lillian C
authors: LC
authors: Hsu
authors: Jean
authors: J
authors: Fang
authors: Diana A
authors: DA
authors: Borca-Tasciuc
authors: Randy W
authors: RW
authors: Worobo
authors: Carmen I
authors: CI
authors: Moraru
mesh_terms: D000537:Aluminum Oxide; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion / Q000502:physiology*; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D018441:Biofilms; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000502:physiology*; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D008087:Listeria / Q000502:physiology*; D011551:Pseudomonas fluorescens / Q000502:physiology*; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D000537:Aluminum Oxide