Berlin 2018 – scientific programme

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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik

BP 3: Cell Adhesion and Migration, Multicellular Systems I

BP 3.1: Talk

Monday, March 12, 2018, 09:30–09:45, H 2013

Molecular motors govern liquid-like ordering and fusion dynamics of bacterial colonies — •Tom Cronenberg, Anton Welker, Robert Zöllner, Claudia Meel, Enno R. Oldewurtel, Katja Siewering, and Berenike Maier — Department of Physics, University of Cologne, Zülpicher Str. 77, 50539 Köln, Germany

Bacteria can adjust the structure of biofilms to enhance their survival rate under external stress. Here, we explore the link between bacterial interaction forces and colony structure. We show that the activity of extracellular pilus motors enhances local ordering and accelerates fusion dynamics of bacterial colonies. The radial distribution function of mature colonies shows local fluid-like order. The degree and dynamics of ordering are dependent on motor activity. At a larger scale, the fusion dynamics of two colonies shows liquid-like behavior whereby the ratio between surface tension and viscosity decreases with decreasing motor activity.