nl1c01062_si_001.pdf (1.95 MB)
Download fileDeciphering Single-Bacterium Adhesion Behavior Modulated by Extracellular Electron Transfer
journal contribution
posted on 2021-06-04, 18:37 authored by Shuomeng Zhang, Lei Wang, Liang Wu, Zhongjian Li, Bin Yang, Yang Hou, Lecheng Lei, Shaoan Cheng, Qinggang HeFor bacterial adhesion and biofilm
formation, a thorough understanding
of the mechanism and effective modulating is lacking due to the complex
extracellular electron transfer (EET) at bacteria-surface interfaces.
Here, we explore the adhesion behavior of a model electroactive bacteria
under various metabolic conditions by an integrated electrochemical
single-cell force microscopy system. A nonlinear model between bacterial
adhesion force and electric field intensity is established, which
provides a theoretical foundation for precise tuning of bacterial
adhesion strength by the surface potential and the direction and flux
of electron flow. In particular, based on quantitative analyses with
equivalent charge distribution modeling and wormlike chain numerical
simulations, it is demonstrated that the chain conformation and unfolding
events of outer membrane appendages are dominantly impacted by the
dynamic bacterial EET processes. This reveals how the anisotropy of
bacterial conductive structure can translate into the desired adhesion
behavior in different scenarios.