生物被膜的物理特性及其表征

生物被膜涉及到人类生产生活的方方面面。生物被膜的形成有时是有益的,可用于生物降解、生物催化等;但同时也造成了诸多不利的影响,医疗领域中的感染性疾病、工业生产中的生物污损等均与生物被膜的形成有关。生物被膜形成过程中的物理性质决定着生物被膜的形态结构以及机械稳定性,对它在应对外界环境刺激并得以生存具有重要的意义。本文介绍了生物被膜形成初期和发展过程中的物理性质以及相应的表征手段。其中,细菌的表面粘附由细菌的近界面运动行为及细菌与表面的相互作用决定,并对生物被膜的初期形成起关键的作用。此外,机械性能测试发现成熟的生物被膜可看作具备粘弹性的聚合物。

Characterization of the physical properties of biofilms

It was known that bacteria adhere to surfaces and form sessile colonies called biofilms. Biofilms Show potential applications for biodegradation and biocatalysis, whilst they also cause healthy and environmental problems. In particular, they lead to human infections and biofouling problems in industry. Physical properties of biofilms reflect the architecture and mechanical stability of biofilms that are highly related to their resistance to environmental challenges and their survival. In this article, we reviewed the physical properties involved in the development of biofilms and the related characterization techniques. The surface adhesion of bacteria plays a crucial role in the biofilm formation, which is determined by the motion of bacteria near a surface as well as the interaction between the bacteria and the surface. As far as the biofilms become mature, they behave like a polymer glassy material revealed by rheological measurements.