Time-lapse movie showing the influence of fluid shear on biofilm structure. The biofilm streamer was stained with fluorescent beads, which appear as bright dots and were used to monitor structural changes. The sequence of images shows the changes to structure as the fluid shear was increased stepwise from 0 to 10 Pa and then reduced stepwise back to 0. As the fluid flow was reduced, the biofilm "sprang" back clearly demonstrating an elastic response. We believe that the biofilm viscoelasticity help biofilms to remain attached when exposed to elevated fluid flows. Arrow indicates flow direction. Scale bar = 50 µm.

Movie Author:  P. Stoodley

Further Reading:

Stoodley, P., Lewandowksi, Z., Boyle, J.D., Lappin-Scott, H.M. 1999. Structural Deformation of Bacterial Biofilms Caused by Short-Term Fluctuations in Fluid Shear: An In Situ Investigation of Biofilm Rheology. Biotech. Bioengrg., 65(1): 83-92.

de Beer, D. and Stoodley, P.  "Microbial Biofilms," In: The Prokaryotes: An Evolving Electronic Resource for the Microbiological Community, 3rd edition (release 3.4), New York, Springer-Verlag, 2000, [www.prokaryotes.com <www.prokaryotes.com> ], Accessed 01/04/01 ISBN: 0-387-14254-1. Abstract 00-038