title: Structural damage of Bacillus subtilis biofilms using pulsed laser interaction with gold thin films.
abstract: There is a huge interest in developing strategies to effectively eliminate biofilms due to their negative impact in both industrial and clinical settings. In this study, structural damage was induced on two day-old B. subtilis biofilms using the interaction of 532 nm pulsed laser with gold thin films. Radiant exposure of 225 mJ/cm2induced distinct changes on the surface structure and overall morphology of the matured biofilms after laser irradiation. Moreover, at the radiant exposure used, changes in the colour and viscosity of the biofilm were observed which may indicate a compromised extracellular matrix. Irradiated biofilms in the presence of gold film also showed strong propidium iodide signal which implies an increase in the number of dead bacterial cells after laser treatment. Thus, this laser-based technique is a promising approach in targeting and eradicating matured biofilms attached on surfaces such as medical implants.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Applied Optics, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Froebelsteig 1, 07743, Jena, Germany.
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Krawinkel
authors.affiliation: Institute of Quantum Optics, Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz University Hannover, Welfengarten 1, 30167, Hannover, Germany.
authors.forename: Maria Leilani
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Torres-Mapa
authors.affiliation: Terrestrial Biofilms Group, Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Neugasse 23, 07743, Jena, Germany.
authors.forename: Eisha
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mhatre
authors.affiliation: Terrestrial Biofilms Group, Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Neugasse 23, 07743, Jena, Germany.
authors.forename: Ákos T
authors.initials: ÁT
authors.lastname: Kovács
authors.affiliation: Institute of Quantum Optics, Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz University Hannover, Welfengarten 1, 30167, Hannover, Germany.
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Heisterkamp
mesh_terms: D001412:Bacillus subtilis / Q000528:radiation effects*; D018441:Biofilms / Q000528:radiation effects*; D006046:Gold; D007834:Lasers; D008027:Light
chemical_list: D006046:Gold
keywords: biofilm; gold; laser ablation; pulsed lasers