Biofilm responses to smooth flow fields and chemical gradients in novel microfluidic flow cells

摘要: We present two novel microfluidic flow cells developed to provide reliable control of distributions and chemical gradients in biofilm studies. a single-inlet cell support growth under uniform velocity field, double-inlet very smooth transverse concentration gradient. Both consist layer polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) bonded glass cover slips were fabricated using the replica molding technique. demonstrate capabilities by quantifying patterns before after Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms through particle imaging velocimetry, evaluating within cell. Biofilm substantially increased complexity diverting around biomass, creating high- low-velocity regions surface friction. Under glucose gradient cell, P. grew proportion local concentration, producing distinct spatial biomass relative imposed When subjected ciprofloxacin gradient, fractions dead also antibiotic concentration. These results that are suitable for complexities resulting from flow-biofilm interactions investigating gradients. will facilitate research requires situ imaging, particularly investigations biofilm-environment interactions.