Analysis of bacterial motility on varied surface chemistry

Bacterial biofilm formation on medical devices remains an unsolved medical challenge. Biofilms are communities of bacteria within which bacteria are able to become highly resistant to antibiotics and the host’s immune system. Developing materials that prevent biofilm formation is limited by a lack of understanding about how bacteria attach to and form biofilm on surfaces. In this project single cells will be observed in three dimensions using digital holographic microscopy to see how they interact with surfaces. The project will establish computer algorithms that can rapidly analyze the images and extract key parameters such as speed, acceleration and curvature and categorize different swimming patterns. This will be done using a range of different materials that bacteria respond to differently to establish the variations in bacteria behavior that relate to the prevention in biofilm formation. These studies will, thus, help underpin the development of materials resistant to biofilm formation.

Faculty Supervisor:

E. Paul Zehr

Student:

Partner:

University of Nottingham

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Education

University:

University of Victoria

Program: