Geometry Induced Biofilm Formation

Abstract

Bacteria in aqueous environments usually gather to form aggregates called biofilms. In biofilms, cells display many behavioral differences from planktonic cells, such as a 1,000-fold increase in tolerance to antibiotics. Hospital-acquired infections are often caused by biofilm spread through medical systems. Design improvements hindering biofilm formation rely on identifying factors that favor their appearance. Geometry variations in medical flow circuits may trigger biofilm nucleation through vortical motion driving bacteria to walls. Detailed flow studies in mili and microfluidic devices support that observation. Once biofilm seeds are created, they proliferate forming filaments whose structure is again controlled by the geometry.