Abstract : Bacterial biofilms correspond to surface-associated bacterial communities embedded in hydrogel-like matrix, in which high cell density, reduced diffusion and physico-chemical heterogeneity play a protective role and induce novel behaviors. In this review, we present recent advances on the understanding of how bacterial mechanical properties, from single cell to high-cell density community, determine biofilm tri-dimensional growth and eventual dispersion and we attempt to draw a parallel between these properties and the mechanical properties of other well-studied hydrogels and living systems.
Catherine Even 1 Christian Marlière 2 Jean-Marc Ghigo 3 Jean-Marc Allain 4 Alba Marcellan 5 Eric Raspaud 1
1 LPS – Laboratoire de Physique des Solides
2 ISMO – Institut des Sciences Moléculaires d’Orsay
3 Génétique des Biofilms
4 M3DISIM – Mathematical and Mechanical Modeling with Data Interaction in Simulations for Medicine
LMS – Laboratoire de mécanique des solides, Inria Saclay – Ile de France
5 SIMM – Sciences et Ingénierie de la Matière Molle
