Bacterial biofilm formation under microgravity conditions

Abstract Although biofilm formation is widely documented on Earth, it has not been demonstrated in the absence of gravity. To explore this possibility, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, suspended in sterile buffer, was flown in a commercial payload on space shuttle flight STS-95. During earth orbit, biofilm f...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:FEMS microbiology letters 2001-02, Vol.195 (2), p.115-119
Main Authors: McLean, Robert J.C., Cassanto, John M., Barnes, Mary B., Koo, Joseph H.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Bacterial Adhesion
Biofilm
Biofilms
Biofilms - growth & development
Biological and medical sciences
Biotechnology
Confocal microscopy
Culture Media
Earth orbits
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Membranes
Membranes, Artificial
Methods. Procedures. Technologies
Microbial engineering. Fermentation and microbial culture technology
Microbiology
Microgravity
Polycarbonate
Polycarboxylate Cement
Pore size
Porosity
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Pseudomonas aeruginosa - physiology
Space Flight
Space life sciences
Space shuttles
Spaceflight
Weightlessness
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Summary:Abstract Although biofilm formation is widely documented on Earth, it has not been demonstrated in the absence of gravity. To explore this possibility, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, suspended in sterile buffer, was flown in a commercial payload on space shuttle flight STS-95. During earth orbit, biofilm formation was induced by exposing the bacteria to sterile media through a 0.2-μm (pore size) polycarbonate membrane. Examination of these membranes by confocal microscopy revealed biofilms to be present and that these biofilms could persist in spite of vigorous agitation. These results represent the first report of biofilm formation under microgravity conditions.
ISSN:0378-1097
1574-6968
DOI:10.1111/j.1574-6968.2001.tb10507.x