MICROBIALSPM

Microbial recognition and adhesion on the nano scale using BIO-SPM

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'Our main goal in this proposal is the elucidation of fundamental interaction processes between microbial systems and a living organism. This research will directly lead us to a so far missing understanding of the detailed mechanism of bacterial pathogen infection in vivo. The newly gained knowledge will be highly important for the development of antibacterial drugs against pathogen-related diseases and for the ultra-sensitive detection of pathogens using bio-sensors.

Bacteria have existed for several billion years by adapting to changes in their environment. Understanding how bacteria acquire new functions in response to environmental changes will advance our fundamental knowledge thereby enhancing our ability to design and tailor changes in biological structure. We will investigate local physical and biochemical variation in the bacterial outer membrane of live bacteria, at nanometer resolution, as bacteria interact with both abiotic and biotic surfaces. For these studies we will use Escherichia coli (E. coli) primarily because it has been well studied and the genome sequence has been determined.

Biological scanning probe microscopy (SPM) is the tool of choice for these studies because it is the only instrument that allows studying living microbial organisms in their natural environment at the nano-meter scale resolution. A broad range of scanning microscopic techniques including Force spectroscopy, Topography and recognition imaging (TREC), Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM), and Scanning microwave microscopy (SMM) will be utilized in these studies for looking into the dynamics of individual protein domains, local binding sites, and locations of charge centers of complex proteins at sub-nanometer, pico-Newton, and nano-Ampere resolution.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Bacteria have thrived for billions of years by successfully adapting to a changing environment. Understanding the molecular mechanisms in play during adaptation and infection of living organisms could be the key to finding effective sensors, drugs and solutions.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

The EU-funded project 'Microbial recognition and adhesion on the nano scale using BIO-SPM' (MICROBIALSPM) has investigated the interaction between live Escherichia coli (E. coli) and its biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) environment.

Scanning probe microscopy (SPM) has put on nanoscale view the physical and biochemical changes experienced by live E. coli. SPM techniques included force spectroscopy, topography and recognition imaging, Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM), and scanning microwave microscopy (SMM). The SPM tips were loaded with biologically active molecules to improve specificity at nanometre and pico-Newton resolution.

Researchers studied the changes in bacteria and its surface structures when coming into contact with, and colonising biotic and abiotic surfaces in different environmental conditions. Under different growing culture conditions, variations in bacterial morphology and function were studied through changes in surface charge distribution using techniques like KPFM and SMM. The scientists mapped both chemical and mechanical surface properties. Researchers therefore successfully elucidated the underlying mechanisms and the biomolecular interactions involved in these interactions.

SPM technologies developed during this project provide unprecedented resolution and sensitivity for imaging live cells or systems in dynamic conditions. Such nanoscale electrical detection methods for biological systems could be exploited for development of miniaturised biosensors and diagnostic devices.

Project activities have also laid the groundwork for future studies on disease pathogenesis and drug efficacy. This has significant implications for the material science, surface chemistry, biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries.