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Determining the Parameters of Force Curves on P. aeruginosa

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Pseudomonas aeruginosa is very harmful to immunocompromised individuals. An atomic force microscope was used to measure the surface forces of this bacteria's exopolymers. These forces were characterized with a force model, which is a function of brush length, probe radius, temperature, separation distance and an indefinite density variable, s. This last parameter could represent root spacing or mesh spacing of the exopolymers. This study aims to clarify s by obtaining force values as a function temperature. Data show the brush length to be on the scale of several hundred nanometers while s is on the scale of tens of angstroms and is varying with temperature suggesting that s represents the mesh spacing. This knowledge will aid in developing treatment for bacterial infections.

  • This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.
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  • E-project-042512-184628
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  • 2012
Date created
  • 2012-04-25
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