Optical Tracking of Surfactant-Tuned Bacterial Adhesion: a Single-Cell Imaging Study
Zhen-Ting Lv, Chen Qian, Yinan Liu, Yun-Hui Lv, Xian‐Wei Liu
Abstract
Studying the interfacial dynamic of single bacteria in complex environments is crucial for understanding the microbial biofilm formation process and developing antifouling materials. However, quantifying the interactions between microorganisms and surfaces in the presence of pollution at the single-cell level remains a great challenge. This paper presents the analysis of single bacterial interfacial behaviors modulated by surfactants and quantification of the adhesion strength via a plasmonic imaging technique. Our study provided insights into the mechanism of initial bacterial adhesion, facilitating our understanding of the adhesion process at the microscopic scale, and is of great value for controlling membrane fouling biofilm formation.