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Failed Escape: Solid Surfaces Prevent Tumbling of Escherichia coli

Mehdi Molaei, Michael Barry, Roman Stocker, and Jian Sheng
Phys. Rev. Lett. 113, 068103 – Published 7 August 2014
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Abstract

Understanding how bacteria move close to surfaces is crucial for a broad range of microbial processes including biofilm formation, bacterial dispersion, and pathogenic infections. We used digital holographic microscopy to capture a large number (>103) of three-dimensional Escherichia coli trajectories near and far from a surface. We found that within 20μm from a surface tumbles are suppressed by 50% and reorientations are largely confined to surface-parallel directions, preventing escape of bacteria from the near-surface region. A hydrodynamic model indicates that the tumble suppression is likely due to a surface-induced reduction in the hydrodynamic force responsible for the flagellar unbundling that causes tumbling. These findings imply that tumbling does not provide an effective means to escape trapping near surfaces.

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  • Received 24 December 2013

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.113.068103

© 2014 American Physical Society

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Surfaces Stop Bacteria From Tumbling

Published 7 August 2014

E. coli near a surface become easily trapped because liquid forces suppress their tumbling motion.

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Authors & Affiliations

Mehdi Molaei1, Michael Barry2, Roman Stocker2, and Jian Sheng1,*

  • 1Mechanical Engineering Department, Texas Tech University, 2703 7th Street, Lubbock, Texas 79409, USA
  • 2Ralph M. Parsons Laboratory, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 15 Vassar Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA

  • *Corresponding author. jian.sheng@ttu.edu

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Issue

Vol. 113, Iss. 6 — 8 August 2014

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