Early-Time Dynamics of Bacillus Subtilis Biofilm Formation

Condensed Matter lunchtime seminar

Early-Time Dynamics of Bacillus Subtilis Biofilm Formation

  • Event time: 2:00pm until 3:00pm
  • Event date: 20th December 2018
  • Speaker: (School of Physics & Astronomy, University of Edinburgh)
  • Location: Room 2511,

Event details

Bacillus subtilis has been used extensively as a model organism to study biofilm formation. The mature form of B. subtilis biofilms are highly hydrophobic and possess a characteristic wrinkled morphology. Here I will present work that is studying the early-time dynamics of B.subtilis biofilm formation where we have found two distinct dynamical regimes. First, a proportion of the population forms a highly dense motile fraction that then moves inwards towards the center of the colony. Second, after a period of time the motility suddenly stops. This rapid 'freezing' of the motility often occurs as a moving front. We have found that while EPS production is important in determining the extent at which the motility front moves inwards, we have so far ruled out a biological mechanism for the sudden arrest of motility. We speculate that this arrest may be a result of a jamming transition.

About Condensed Matter lunchtime seminars

This is a weekly series of informal talks given primarily by members of the institute of condensed matter and complex systems, but is also open to members of other groups and external visitors. The aim of the series is to promote discussion and learning of various topics at a level suitable to the broad background of the group. Everyone is welcome to attend..

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