Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1186/s12915-022-01406-z
Licence creative commons licence
Title (Primary) Design and construction of 3D printed devices to investigate active and passive bacterial dispersal on hydrated surfaces
Author Kuhn, T.; Buffi, M.; Bindschedler, S.; Chain, P.S.; Gonzalez, D.; Stanley, C.E.; Wick, L.Y.; Junier, P.; Li Richter, X.-Y.
Source Titel BMC Biology
Year 2022
Department UMB
Volume 20
Page From art. 203
Language englisch
Topic T7 Bioeconomy
Supplements https://ndownloader.figstatic.com/articles/21117224/versions/1
Keywords 3D printing, Bacterial motility, Bacterial-fungal interactions, Fungal highways, Bacterial dispersal, Hitchhiking dispersal
Abstract Background

To disperse in water-unsaturated environments, such as the soil, bacteria rely on the availability and structure of water films forming on biotic and abiotic surfaces, and, especially, along fungal mycelia. Dispersal along such “fungal highways” may be driven both by mycelial physical properties and by interactions between bacteria and fungi. However, we still do not have a way to disentangle the biotic and abiotic elements.
Results

We designed and 3D printed two devices establishing stable liquid films that support bacteria dispersal in the absence of biotic interactions. The thickness of the liquid film determined the presence of hydraulic flow capable of transporting non-motile cells. In the absence of flow, only motile cells can disperse in the presence of an energy source. Non-motile cells could not disperse autonomously without flow but dispersed as “hitchhikers” when co-inoculated with motile cells.
Conclusions

The 3D printed devices can be used as an abiotic control to study bacterial dispersal on hydrated surfaces, such as plant roots and fungal hyphae networks in the soil. By teasing apart the abiotic and biotic dimensions, these 3D printed devices will stimulate further research on microbial dispersal in soil and other water-unsaturated environments.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=26638
Kuhn, T., Buffi, M., Bindschedler, S., Chain, P.S., Gonzalez, D., Stanley, C.E., Wick, L.Y., Junier, P., Li Richter, X.-Y. (2022):
Design and construction of 3D printed devices to investigate active and passive bacterial dispersal on hydrated surfaces
BMC Biol. 20 , art. 203 10.1186/s12915-022-01406-z