A Modular Flow Cell System for Studying Biomimetic and BioinspiredAnti-Adhesive and Antimicrobial Surfaces

A novel protocol to prepare cell probes for the quantification of microbial adhesion and biofilm initiation on structured bioinspired surfaces using AFM for single‐cell force spectroscopy

“…In previous experiments, which were also carried out on cicada wing‐mimicking aluminum oxide surfaces under continuous liquid flow conditions, we saw a reduction in the surface area covered by E. coli on the wing‐like surface of up to 87% compared to a control reference surface . Our current experiments reveal an explanation for this drastic reduction in bacterial coverage, in that the structured surface affords a much smaller area for potential attachment, totaling only 28% of that present in the non‐structured, planar surface (compare Fig.…”

“…The microstructured surface, hereafter referred to as “structured” was a porous anodized aluminum oxide membrane with well‐defined surface nanopatterns having pore diameters of 350 ± 20 nm and a pitch of 360 nm fabricated by SmartMembranes GmbH using electrochemical precision etching . Planar aluminum oxide was used as a reference surface (referred to as the “planar” surface).…”

“…The topography of insect wings has been explored as a potential inspiration for the generation of synthetic anti‐fouling surfaces. We recently investigated nanostructured surfaces with profiles mimicking the natural cicada wing, with the aim of ultimately applying it in industrial processing to reduce biofouling .…”

“…Because the irreversible attachment of microbes to a surface constitutes the critical first step in biofilm formation, our studies focus on elucidating the mechanisms of these early bacterium‐to‐surface interactions. To do this, we developed a modular microfluidic flow cell system in which bacterial adhesion and initial biofilm formation can be observed under continuous liquid flow conditions by optical microscopy .…”