Microfluidic devices for studying growth and detachment of Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilms

Joung Hyun Lee, Jeffrey B. Kaplan, Woo Y. Lee

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

88 Scopus citations

Abstract

Microfluidic devices were used to study the influences of hydrodynamics of local microenvironments on Staphylococcus epidermidis (S. epidermidis) biofilm formation and the effects of a poly(β-1,6-N-acetyl glucosamine)-hydrolyzing enzyme (dispersin B) and/or an antibiotic (rifampicin) on the detachment of the biofilm. Elongated, monolayered biofilm morphologies were observed at high flow velocity and fluid shear locations whereas large clump-like, multilayered biofilm structures were produced at low flow velocity and fluid shear locations. Upon dispersin B treatment, most of the biofilm was detached from the microchannel surface. However, a trace amount of bacterial cells could not be removed from corner locations most likely due to the insufficient wall shear stress of the fluid at these locations. Dispersin B or rifampicin treatment was effective in delaying the dispersal behavior of bacterial cells, but could not completely remove the biofilm. Combined dynamic delivery of dispersin B and rifampicin was found to be effective for complete removal of the S. epidermidis biofilm.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)489-498
Number of pages10
JournalBiomedical Microdevices
Volume10
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2008

Keywords

  • Biofilms
  • Dispersin B
  • Microenvironment
  • Microfluidics
  • Poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS)
  • Rifampicin
  • Staphylococcus epidermidis

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