Regensburg 2013 – scientific programme

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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik

BP 24: Posters: Physics of Cells

BP 24.29: Poster

Wednesday, March 13, 2013, 17:30–19:30, Poster C

Bacterial force spectroscopy: the influence of cell wall proteins on the adhesion process of Staphylococci — •Nicolas Thewes, Peter Loskill, and Karin Jacobs — Saarland University, Experimental Physics D-66123 Saarbrücken

Bacterial adhesion to surfaces is a complex process that depends on many factors such as the type of bacterium, the type of surface [1] and the surrounding medium, as well as the composition of the material [2] and the time of contact.

In this study we show the important role of bacterial surface proteins during the adhesion process to an artificial surface.

Using AFM-force spectroscopy, we studied the differences in the adhesion process of two bacterial strains of the Staphylococcus genus, S. aureus and S. carnosus. Measurements with increasing and decreasing surface delay times showed severe differences due to different cell wall protein compositions. To be more precise, pathogenic S. aureus showed a much higher adhesion capability than apathogenic S. carnosus.

In addition, we developed a new set-up to attach single bacteria to an AFM cantilever which now enables adhesion measurements on a single cell level.