surface-potential-measurement-bacteria-using-kelvin-probe-force

Surface Potential Measurement of Bacteria Using Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy

Surface potential is a commonly overlooked physical characteristic that plays a dominant role in the adhesion of microorganisms to substrate surfaces. ...

University of Guelph

Many plant systems accumulate silica in solid form, creating intracellular or extracellular silica bodies (phytoliths) that are essential for growth, mechanical strength, rigidity, predator and fungal defence, stiffness and cooling. Silica is an inorganic amorphous oxide formed by polymerization processes within plants. There has been much research to gain new insights into its biochemistry and to mimic biosilicification. We review the background on plant silica bodies, silica uptake mechanisms and applications, and suggest possible ways of producing plant silica bodies with new functions. Silica bodies offer complementary properties to diatoms for nanotechnology, including large-scale availability from crop wastes, lack of organic impurities (in some), microencapsulation and microcrystalline quartz with possibly unique optical properties.

Potential of silica bodies (phytoliths) for nanotechnology.

Microfluidica, un rapidamente emergendo permettendo la tecnologia ha il potenziale per rivoluzionare l&#39;industria alimentare, agricoltura e biosistemi. Esempi di possibili applicazioni di microfluidica nell&#39;industria alimentare incapsulamento delle nano-particelle di olio di pesce, monitoraggio agenti patogeni e tossine nel cibo e rifornimenti idrici, micro-nano-filtrazione per migliorare la qualit&agrave; del cibo, rilevamento degli antibiotici nei prodotti lattiero-caseari e la generazione di strutture alimentari. Inoltre, microfluidica consente alle applicazioni in scienze animali e agricoltura come nutrienti monitoraggio e ordinamento per migliorare le cellule vegetali delle colture di qualit&agrave; e produzione, consegna efficacia di biopesticidi, fecondazione in vitro semplificata per allevamento di animali, monitoraggio sanitario, vaccinazione e terapie. Infine, microfluidica fornisce nuovi approcci per la ricerca di bioenergia. Questo documento sintetizza informazioni delle applicazioni basate su microfluidics selezionate per industrie alimentari, agricoltura e biosistemi.

Microfluidics per industrie alimentari, agricoltura e biosistemi.

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Microfluidics, a rapidly emerging enabling technology has the potential to revolutionize food, agriculture and biosystems industries. Examples of potential applications of microfluidics in food industry include nano-particle encapsulation of fish oil, monitoring pathogens and toxins in food and water supplies, micro-nano-filtration for improving food quality, detection of antibiotics in dairy food products, and generation of novel food structures. In addition, microfluidics enables applications in agriculture and animal sciences such as nutrients monitoring and plant cells sorting for improving crop quality and production, effective delivery of biopesticides, simplified in vitro fertilization for animal breeding, animal health monitoring, vaccination and therapeutics. Lastly, microfluidics provides new approaches for bioenergy research. This paper synthesizes information of selected microfluidics-based applications for food, agriculture and biosystems industries.

Microfluidics for food, agriculture and biosystems industries.

Microfluidique, une technologie habilitante rapidement &eacute;mergents sont le potentiel de r&eacute;volutionner l&#39;industrie alimentaire, l&#39;agriculture et biosyst&egrave;mes. Les exemples d&#39;applications potentielles de la microfluidique en industrie alimentaire encapsulation de nano-particules d&#39;huile de poisson, surveillance des pathog&egrave;nes et toxines dans les aliments et l&#39;approvisionnement en eau, micro-nano-filtration pour l&#39;am&eacute;lioration de la qualit&eacute; des aliments, d&eacute;tection d&#39;antibiotiques dans les produits laitiers et la g&eacute;n&eacute;ration des structures de l&#39;aliment nouveau. En outre, microfluidique permet aux applications en sciences animales et de l&#39;agriculture tels que surveillance de nutriments et les cellules v&eacute;g&eacute;tales de tri pour l&#39;am&eacute;lioration des cultures production et qualit&eacute;, prestation efficace des biopesticides, simplifi&eacute;e de la f&eacute;condation in vitro pour l&#39;&eacute;levage d&#39;animaux, surveillance de la sant&eacute; animale, vaccination et th&eacute;rapeutique. Enfin, microfluidique fournit des nouvelles approches pour la recherche de la bio&eacute;nergie. Cet article synth&eacute;tise les informations des applications s&eacute;lectionn&eacute;es microfluidique pour industrie alimentaire, l&#39;agriculture et biosyst&egrave;mes.

Microfluidique pour industrie alimentaire, l&#39;agriculture et biosyst&egrave;mes.

Microfluidics, einer sich schnell entwickelnden Technologie hat das Potenzial, Ern&auml;hrung, Landwirtschaft und Biosystems Branchen revolutionieren. Beispiele f&uuml;r Einsatzm&ouml;glichkeiten der Mikrofluidik in Lebensmittelindustrie Nanopartikel Kapselung von Fisch&ouml;l, &Uuml;berwachung, Krankheitserreger und Giftstoffe im Nahrungsmittel- und Wasserversorgung, Mikro-Nano-Filtration zur Verbesserung der Lebensmittelqualit&auml;t, Nachweis von Antibiotika in Essen Produkte und Strukturen der Novel-Food-Generation. Dar&uuml;ber hinaus Microfluidics erm&ouml;glicht Anwendungen in Landwirtschaft und Tierproduktion Wissenschaften wie N&auml;hrstoffe, die &Uuml;berwachung und Sortieren f&uuml;r die Verbesserung der Pflanzenzellen Zuschneiden, Qualit&auml;t und Produktion, effektive Lieferung der Pestizide, vereinfachte in-vitro-Fertilisation f&uuml;r Tierzucht, &Uuml;berwachung der Tiergesundheit, Impfungen und Therapeutika. Schlie&szlig;lich sieht Biochips neue Ans&auml;tze f&uuml;r Bioenergie-Forschung. Dieses Papier synthetisiert Informationen von ausgew&auml;hlten Mikrofluidik-basierten Anwendungen f&uuml;r Ern&auml;hrung, Landwirtschaft und Biosystems Branchen.

Biochips f&uuml;r Ern&auml;hrung, Landwirtschaft und Biosystems Industrien.

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Microfluidics, &#xC2DD;&#xD488;, &#xB18D;&#xC5C5; &#xBC0F; &#xB18D; &#xC0B0;&#xC5C5;&#xC5D0; &#xD601;&#xBA85;&#xC744; &#xC704;&#xD574; &#xC7A0;&#xC7AC;&#xB825;&#xC774; &#xAE09;&#xC18D; &#xD558; &#xAC8C; &#xC2E0;&#xD765; &#xAE30;&#xC220; &#xD65C;&#xC131;&#xD654;. Microfluidics &#xC2DD;&#xD488; &#xC0B0;&#xC5C5;&#xC5D0;&#xC11C;&#xC758; &#xC7A0;&#xC7AC;&#xC801;&#xC778; &#xC751;&#xC6A9; &#xD504;&#xB85C;&#xADF8;&#xB7A8;&#xC758; &#xC608;&#xB85C; &#xC0DD;&#xC120; &#xAE30;&#xB984;, &#xBCD1;&#xC6D0; &#xADE0;&#xACFC; &#xB3C5; &#xC18C;&#xB97C; &#xC74C;&#xC2DD; &#xBC0F; &#xBB3C; &#xACF5;&#xAE09;, &#xC2DD;&#xD488; &#xD488;&#xC9C8;, &#xB099;&#xB18D; &#xC2DD;&#xD488;&#xC758; &#xD56D;&#xC0DD;&#xC81C; &#xAC80;&#xCD9C; &#xBC0F; &#xC18C;&#xC124; &#xC74C;&#xC2DD; &#xAD6C;&#xC870;&#xC758; &#xC0DD;&#xC131;&#xC744; &#xAC1C;&#xC120; &#xD558;&#xAE30; &#xC704;&#xD55C; &#xC5EC;&#xACFC; &#xB9C8;&#xC774;&#xD06C;&#xB85C;-&#xB098;&#xB178;-&#xBAA8;&#xB2C8;&#xD130;&#xB9C1;&#xC758; &#xB098;&#xB178; &#xC785;&#xC790; &#xCEA1;&#xC290;&#xD654; &#xD569;&#xB2C8;&#xB2E4;. &#xB610;&#xD55C;, microfluidics &#xC601;&#xC591;&#xC18C; &#xBAA8;&#xB2C8;&#xD130;&#xB9C1; &#xB4F1; &#xB18D;&#xC5C5; &#xBC0F; &#xB3D9;&#xBB3C; &#xACFC;&#xD559;&#xC5D0; &#xC751;&#xC6A9; &#xD504;&#xB85C;&#xADF8;&#xB7A8;&#xC744; &#xC218; &#xC788;&#xC2B5;&#xB2C8;&#xB2E4; &#xBC0F; &#xC2DD;&#xBB3C; &#xC138;&#xD3EC;&#xB97C; &#xAC1C;&#xC120; &#xD558;&#xAE30; &#xC704;&#xD55C; &#xC815;&#xB82C; &#xC791;&#xBB3C; &#xD488;&#xC9C8; &#xBC0F; &#xC0DD;&#xC0B0;, biopesticides, &#xB3D9;&#xBB3C; &#xC0AC;&#xC721;, &#xB3D9;&#xBB3C; &#xAC74;&#xAC15; &#xBAA8;&#xB2C8;&#xD130;&#xB9C1;, &#xC608;&#xBC29; &#xC811;&#xC885; &#xBC0F; &#xCE58;&#xB8CC; &#xD559;&#xC5D0; &#xB300; &#xD55C; &#xB2E8;&#xC21C;&#xD654; &#xB41C; &#xCCB4; &#xC678; &#xC218;&#xC815;&#xC758; &#xD6A8;&#xACFC;&#xC801;&#xC778; &#xBC30;&#xB2EC;. &#xB9C8;&#xC9C0;&#xB9C9;&#xC73C;&#xB85C;, microfluidics bioenergy&#xC758; &#xC5F0;&#xAD6C;&#xC5D0; &#xB300; &#xD55C; &#xC0C8;&#xB85C;&#xC6B4; &#xC811;&#xADFC;&#xC744; &#xC81C;&#xACF5;&#xD569;&#xB2C8;&#xB2E4;. &#xC774; &#xC885;&#xC774; &#xD569;&#xC131; &#xC2DD;&#xD488;, &#xB18D;&#xC5C5; &#xBC0F; &#xB18D; &#xC0B0;&#xC5C5;&#xC5D0; &#xB300; &#xD55C; &#xC120;&#xD0DD;&#xD55C; microfluidics &#xAE30;&#xBC18; &#xC751;&#xC6A9; &#xD504;&#xB85C;&#xADF8;&#xB7A8;&#xC758; &#xC815;&#xBCF4;.

&#xC2DD;&#xD488;, &#xB18D;&#xC5C5; &#xBC0F; &#xB18D; &#xC0B0;&#xC5C5; Microfluidics&#xC785;&#xB2C8;&#xB2E4;.

Microflu&iacute;dica, un emergiendo r&aacute;pidamente tecnolog&iacute;a tiene el potencial para revolucionar la industria de alimentaci&oacute;n, agricultura y biosistemas. Ejemplos de aplicaciones potenciales de la microflu&iacute;dica en industria alimentaria encapsulaci&oacute;n de nano-part&iacute;culas de aceite de pescado, monitoreo de pat&oacute;genos y toxinas en los alimentos y suministros de agua, micro-nano-filtraci&oacute;n para mejorar la calidad de los alimentos, detecci&oacute;n de antibi&oacute;ticos en alimentos l&aacute;cteos y generaci&oacute;n de estructuras de nuevos alimentos. Adem&aacute;s, microflu&iacute;dica permite a las aplicaciones en Ciencias de la agricultura y animales tales como monitoreo de nutrientes y cultivo de c&eacute;lulas de la planta de clasificaci&oacute;n para mejorar calidad y la producci&oacute;n, la entrega eficaz de bioplaguicidas, simplificada fertilizaci&oacute;n in vitro para la cr&iacute;a de animales, vigilancia de la salud animal, vacunaci&oacute;n y terap&eacute;utica. Por &uacute;ltimo, microflu&iacute;dica proporciona nuevos enfoques para la investigaci&oacute;n de la bioenerg&iacute;a. Este documento sintetiza la informaci&oacute;n de las aplicaciones basadas en microflu&iacute;dica para las industrias de alimentaci&oacute;n, agricultura y biosistemas.

Microflu&iacute;dica para las industrias de alimentaci&oacute;n, agricultura y biosistemas.

Karyotype analysis and classification of buckwheat chromosomes were performed without chemical banding or staining using atomic force microscopy (AFM). Fagopyrum esculentum (common buckwheat) and Fagopyrum tartaricum (Tartarian buckwheat) chromosomes were isolated from root tissues using an enzymatic maceration technique and spread over a glass substrate. Air-dried chromosomes had a surface with ridges, and the height of common and tartary buckwheat were approximately 350 and 150 nm. Volumes of metaphase sets of buckwheat chromosomes were calculated using three-dimensional AFM measurements. Chromosomes were morphologically characterized by the size, volume, arm lengths, and ratios. The calculated volumes of the F. esculentum and F. tartaricum chromosomes were in the ranges of 1.08-2.09 μm3 and 0.49-0.78 μm3, respectively. The parameters such as the relative arm length, centromere position, and the chromosome volumes measured using AFM provide accurate karyomorphological classification by avoiding the subjective inconsistencies in banding patterns of conventional methods. The karyotype evolutionary trend indicates that F. esculentum is an ancient species compared to F. tartaricum. This is the first report of a cytological karyotype of buckwheat using AFM.

Karyotype analysis of buckwheat using atomic force microscopy.

Morphological and structural features of buckwheat starch granules and nanocrystals were examined using atomic force microscopy and dynamic light scattering. Partially digested starch granules revealed a clear pattern of growth rings with the central core revealing lamellar structure. Atomic force microscopy and dynamic light scattering experiments revealed that the buckwheat starch granules were polygonal in shape and were in the range of 2 to 19 μm in diameter. The optimized acid hydrolysis process produced nanocrystals with the shape of spherical structure with lengths ranging from 120 to 200 nm, and the diameter from 4 to 30 nm from aqueous suspensions of buckwheat starch solution. The sorption isotherms on buckwheat starch nanocrystal/glycerol composite exhibited a 3-stage transition of moisture in the blending. The biocompatible nature of buckwheat starch nanocrystals and their structural properties make them a promising green nanocomposite material.

Ultrastructural analysis of buckwheat starch components using atomic force microscopy.

Surgical site infections (SSIs) caused by biofilm-forming methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP) have emerged as the most common hospital-acquired infections in companion animals. No methods currently exist for the therapeutic remediation of SSIs caused by MRSP in biofilms. Clarithromycin (CLA) has been shown to prevent biofilm formation by Staphylococcus aureus. This study aims to assess the in vitro activity of CLA in eradicating MRSP biofilm formation on various materials.

Efficacy of clarithromycin on biofilm formation of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius.

Here we present a high-resolution chromosomal spectral map derived from synchrotron-based soft X-ray spectromicroscopy applied to quinoa species. The label-free characterization of quinoa metaphase chromosomes shows that it consists of organized substructures of DNA-protein complex. The analysis of spectra of chromosomes using the scanning transmission X-ray microscope (STXM) and its superposition of the pattern with the atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images proves that it is possible to precisely locate the gene loci and the DNA packaging inside the chromosomes. STXM has been successfully used to distinguish and quantify the DNA and protein components inside the quinoa chromosomes by visualizing the interphase at up to 30-nm spatial resolution. Our study represents the successful attempt of non-intrusive interrogation and integrating imaging techniques of chromosomes using synchrotron STXM and AFM techniques. The methodology developed for 3-D imaging of chromosomes with chemical specificity and temporal resolution will allow the nanoscale imaging tools to emerge from scientific research and development into broad practical applications such as gene loci tools and biomarker libraries.

Cytogenetic analysis of quinoa chromosomes using nanoscale imaging and spectroscopy techniques.

Listeria monocytogenes remains a significant foodborne pathogen due to its virulence and ability to become established in food processing facilities. The pathogen is characterized by its ability to grow over a wide temperature range and withstand a broad range of stresses. The following reports on the chemotaxis and motility of the L. monocytogenes when exposed to relatively small concentrations of acetic acid. Using the developed nanoporous microfluidic device to precisely modulate the cellular environment, we exposed the individual Listeria cells to acetic acid and, in real time and with high resolution, observed how the cells reacted to the change in their surroundings. Our results showed that concentrations of acetic acid below 10 mM had very little, if any, effect on the motility. However, when exposed to 100 mM acetic acid, the cells exhibited a sharp drop in velocity and displayed a more random pattern of motion. These results indicate that at appropriate concentrations, acetic acid has the ability to disable the flagellum of the cells, thus impairing their motility. This drop in motility has numerous effects on the cell; its main effects being the obstruction of the cell's ability to properly form biofilms and a reduction in the overall infectivity of the cells. Since these characteristics are especially useful in controlling the proliferation of L. monocytogenes, acetic acid shows potential for application in the food industry as an active compound in designing a food packaging environment and as an antimicrobial agent.

Single cell swimming dynamics of Listeria monocytogenes using a nanoporous microfluidic platform.

Current methods for testing treatments for veterinary surgical site infections can successfully emulate elements of a chronic wound, but these are time consuming and costly, requiring specialized laboratory equipment and considerable space to house study animals. Microfluidic devices however, can be coated with collagen and maintained at basal body temperature, providing a more cost-effective and space-saving model of a chronic wound. Our study assesses the applicability of a new microfluidic model by testing the activity of DispersinB against biofilms of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP); DispersinB has been shown to prevent biofilm growth of Staphylococcus epidermidis, another prominent wound colonizer.

A novel microfluidic wound model for testing antimicrobial agents against Staphylococcus pseudintermedius biofilms.

The effectiveness of fosfomycin was examined across 31 methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP) strains by agar dilution. Prevalence of the fosfomycin-resistance determinant gene, fosB, was assessed by PCR analysis. Results found that 84% of isolates were fosfomycin-susceptible. Interestingly, 87% of isolates possessed fosB, indicating no association between this putative staphylococci resistance gene and phenotypic resistance. Further evaluation of fosfomycin as a potential treatment of MRSP in dogs is warranted.

Fosfomycin susceptibility of canine methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius isolates.

Bacterial biofilms are of tremendous concern for clinicians, as they can compromise the ability of the immune system and antimicrobial therapy to resolve chronic and recurrent infections. Novel antimicrobial therapies or combinations targeted against biofilm establishment and growth subsequently represent a promising new option for the treatment of chronic infectious diseases. In this study, we treated bacterial biofilms produced by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP) with a combination of fosfomycin and clarithromycin. We selected these agents, because they prevent biofilm formation and induce antimicrobial synergism that may also target other staphylococci.

In vitro synergism of fosfomycin and clarithromycin antimicrobials against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius.

Wounds can easily become chronically infected, leading to secondary health complications, which occur more frequently in individuals with diabetes, compromised immune systems, and those that have suffered severe burns. When wounds become chronically infected, biofilm producing microbes are often isolated from these sites. The presence of a biofilm at a wound site has significant negative impact on the treatment outcomes, as biofilms are characteristically recalcitrant to removal, in part due to the formation of a protective matrix that shield residents organisms from inimical forces. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are two of the organisms most prevalently isolated from wound sites, and are of particular concern due to their elevated levels of antibiotic resistance, rapid growth, and exotoxin production. In order to understand the biofilm forming abilities of these microbes in a simulated wound environment we used a microtiter plate assay to assess the ability of these two organisms to bind to proteins that are typically found at wound sites: collagen and hyaluronan.

Suresh Neethirajan

BioNano Laboratory,
School of Engineering,
BioNano Laboratory, School of Engineering

University of Guelph

Surface Potential Measurement of Bacteria Using Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy

Suresh Neethirajan

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University of Guelph

Surface Potential Measurement of Bacteria Using Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy

BioNano Laboratory,
School of Engineering,
BioNano Laboratory, School of Engineering