title: Printed paper-based arrays as substrates for biofilm formation.
abstract: The suitability of paper-based arrays for biofilm formation studies by Staphylococcus aureus is demonstrated. Laboratory-coated papers with different physicochemical properties were used as substrates. The array platform was fabricated by patterning the coated papers with vinyl-substituted polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) -based ink. The affinity of bacteria onto the flexographically printed hydrophobic and smooth PDMS film was very low whereas bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation occurred preferentially on the unprinted areas, i.e. in the reaction arrays. The concentration of the attached bacteria was quantified by determining the viable colony forming unit (CFU/cm(2)) numbers. The distribution and the extent of surface coverage of the biofilms were determined by atomic force microscopy. In static conditions, the highest bacterial concentration and most highly organized biofilms were observed on substrates with high polarity. On a rough paper surface with low polarity, the biofilm formation was most hindered. Biofilms were effectively removed from a polar substrate upon exposure to (+)-dehydroabietic acid, an anti-biofilm compound.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Physical Chemistry, Center of Excellence for Functional Materials, Abo Akademi University, Turku, Finland.
authors.forename: Anni
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Määttänen
authors.affiliation: Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Biosciences, Abo Akademi University, Turku, Finland.
authors.forename: Adyary
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fallarero
authors.affiliation: Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Biosciences, Abo Akademi University, Turku, Finland.
authors.forename: Janni
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kujala
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Physical Chemistry, Center of Excellence for Functional Materials, Abo Akademi University, Turku, Finland.
authors.forename: Petri
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ihalainen
authors.affiliation: Division of Pharmaceutical Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: Pia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vuorela
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Physical Chemistry, Center of Excellence for Functional Materials, Abo Akademi University, Turku, Finland.
authors.forename: Jouko
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Peltonen
keywords: AFM; Biofilm formation; PDMS; Polarity; Staphylococcus aureus; Surface roughness