Vertical growth dynamics of biofilms

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2214211120
• Publication Date: 2023-03-07T18:45:15Z
• Authors: Pablo Bravo; Siu Lung Ng; Kathryn A. MacGil...; Brian K. Hammer; Peter J. Yunker
• Keywords: Dynamics; Bacterial growth

During the biofilm life cycle, bacteria attach to a surface and then reproduce, forming crowded, growing communities. Many theoretical models of growth dynamics have been proposed; however, difficulties in accurately measuring height across relevant time length scales prevented testing these models, or their biophysical underpinnings, empirically. Using white light interferometry, we measure heights microbial colonies with nanometer precision from inoculation final equilibrium height, producing detailed empirical characterization vertical dynamics. We propose heuristic model for based on basic processes inside biofilm: diffusion consumption nutrients decay colony. This captures short long (10 min 14 d) diverse microorganisms, including fungi.