A web of streamers: biofilm formation in a porous microfluidic device

Using a microfabricated porous media mimic platform, we investigated how fluid flow influences the formation of filamentous structures, known as streamers, between porous media structures. We demonstrate how hydrodynamics govern the formation, morphology and the distribution of these biofilm streame...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Lab on a chip 2012-12, Vol.12 (24), p.5133-5137
Main Authors: Valiei, Amin, Kumar, Aloke, Mukherjee, Partha P, Liu, Yang, Thundat, Thomas
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biofilms
Biofilms - growth & development
Devices
Fluid dynamics
Fluid flow
Hydrodynamics
Media
Microfluidic Analytical Techniques - methods
Microorganisms
Porosity
Precursors
Pseudomonas fluorescens - physiology
Time Factors
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Summary:Using a microfabricated porous media mimic platform, we investigated how fluid flow influences the formation of filamentous structures, known as streamers, between porous media structures. We demonstrate how hydrodynamics govern the formation, morphology and the distribution of these biofilm streamers in the device. Our work establishes that, under favorable hydrodynamic conditions, streamers can often act as precursors to mature microbial structures found in complex geometries, such as those involved in porous media.
ISSN:1473-0197
1473-0189
DOI:10.1039/c2lc40815e