Bacterial adhesion is the initial step towards the establishment of a biofilm and the process can be influenced by a number of environmental factors, including salt concentration of the bulk solution. This study investigated the influence of ionic strength on the elasticity of bacteria cell surface appendages by Quantitative Nanomechanical Atomic Force Microscopy. It was determined that decrease in ionic strength decreased the Young’s modulus and increased the deformation of the cell surface appendages of two Streptococcus strains. These results confirm predictions of the adhesive bond stiffness of the two strains based on the Quartz Crystal Microbalance Coupled Resonance Model. This study will facilitate the development of methods to prevent bacterial adhesion and dissemination.

• 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.

Creator

• Ivanov, Ivan Enchev

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-042012-205643

Advisor

• Camesano, Terri Anne

Year

• 2012

Sponsor

• University Medical Center Groningen

Date created

• 2012-04-20

Location

• Groningen

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Chemical Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright