The effect of flow on swimming bacteria controls the initial colonization of curved surfaces

Eleonora Secchi (), Alessandra Vitale, Gastón L. Miño, Vasily Kantsler, Leo Eberl, Roberto Rusconi () and Roman Stocker ()
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Eleonora Secchi: Institute of Environmental Engineering, ETH Zürich
Alessandra Vitale: University of Zürich
Gastón L. Miño: Universidad Nacional de Entre Ríos
Vasily Kantsler: University of Warwick
Leo Eberl: University of Zürich
Roberto Rusconi: Humanitas University
Roman Stocker: Institute of Environmental Engineering, ETH Zürich

Nature Communications, 2020, vol. 11, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Abstract The colonization of surfaces by bacteria is a widespread phenomenon with consequences on environmental processes and human health. While much is known about the molecular mechanisms of surface colonization, the influence of the physical environment remains poorly understood. Here we show that the colonization of non-planar surfaces by motile bacteria is largely controlled by flow. Using microfluidic experiments with Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli, we demonstrate that the velocity gradients created by a curved surface drive preferential attachment to specific regions of the collecting surface, namely the leeward side of cylinders and immediately downstream of apexes on corrugated surfaces, in stark contrast to where nonmotile cells attach. Attachment location and rate depend on the local hydrodynamics and, as revealed by a mathematical model benchmarked on the observations, on cell morphology and swimming traits. These results highlight the importance of flow on the magnitude and location of bacterial colonization of surfaces.

Date: 2020
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-16620-y

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