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Biofilm formation under simulated microgravity - a Bacillus subtilis case study

Fuchs, Felix M. and Holland, Gudrun and Madela, Kazimierz and Hemmersbach, Ruth and Laue, Michael and Moeller, Ralf (2017) Biofilm formation under simulated microgravity - a Bacillus subtilis case study. 17. Gravimeeting 2017, 2017-12-06 - 2017-12-08, Erlangen, Deutschland.

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Abstract

Starting with mission Apollo 16, the Gram positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis has been used in multitude of space experiments. Investigating the influence of extreme space conditions like radiation, vacuum or microgravity, experiments with model organisms like B. subtilis, which forms highly resistant endospores and biofilms, enlighten our understanding regarding survivability, resistance and potential virulence in unfavourable habitats. Biofilms are organized in a complex self-produced extracellular polymeric matrix commonly composed of polysaccharides, proteins and nucleic acids. Building a biofilm protects the individual cell against shear forces, chemicals (e.g. antibiotics or disinfectants), temperature changes and water as well as nutrient depletion (Vlamakis et al., 2013, Cairns et al., 2014). The intrinsic resistance of biofilms is challenging, not only in industry and medicine, but it can be problematic during spaceflight conditions, especially for the crew as well as for the spacecraft. In particular, long term missions with complex cooling systems, water supply and heat pipes may be vulnerable to biofilm colonisation. In our work, we used a biofilm-forming B. subtilis strain and a biofilm-matrix deficient mutant to study the impact of reduced gravity on maturated biofilms. Our major research goal is to compare biofilm formation in simulated microgravity (μg, using a fast-rotating 2D clinostat) to terrestrial gravity (1g) conditions by using different microscopic techniques. White light profilometry, scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM, TEM) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) were used to analyse biofilms regarding their topology and structure, respectively. Furthermore we conducted a multitude of different survival experiments to evaluate changes and resemblances due to the impact of microgravity. First results show qualitative architectural differences between simulated microgravity and 1g in cross-sections, but no significant qualitative variations in biofilm surface topography. Biofilms grown under simulated microgravity seem to exhibit similar extreme resistances to environmental changes, compared to 1g-controls, when exposed to space-like conditions.

Item URL in elib:https://elib.dlr.de/117702/
Document Type:Conference or Workshop Item (Speech)
Title:Biofilm formation under simulated microgravity - a Bacillus subtilis case study
Authors:
AuthorsInstitution or Email of AuthorsAuthor's ORCID iDORCID Put Code
Fuchs, Felix M.radiation biology department, institute of aerospace medicine, german aerospace center (dlr), cologne, germanyhttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-5669-5655UNSPECIFIED
Holland, GudrunRobert Koch Institute (RKI), Advanced Light and Electron Microscopy, Berlin, GermanyUNSPECIFIEDUNSPECIFIED
Madela, KazimierzRobert Koch Institute (RKI), Advanced Light and Electron Microscopy, Berlin, GermanyUNSPECIFIEDUNSPECIFIED
Hemmersbach, Ruthgerman aerospace centre (dlr), institute of aerospace medicine, gravitational biology, cologne, germanyhttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-5308-6715UNSPECIFIED
Laue, MichaelRobert Koch Institute (RKI), Advanced Light and Electron Microscopy, Berlin, GermanyUNSPECIFIEDUNSPECIFIED
Moeller, RalfUNSPECIFIEDhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-2371-0676UNSPECIFIED
Date:2017
Refereed publication:Yes
Open Access:Yes
Gold Open Access:No
In SCOPUS:No
In ISI Web of Science:No
Status:Published
Keywords:biofilm, B. subtilis, spores, microgravity, clinostat, SEM, CLSM, profilometry
Event Title:17. Gravimeeting 2017
Event Location:Erlangen, Deutschland
Event Type:national Conference
Event Start Date:6 December 2017
Event End Date:8 December 2017
HGF - Research field:Aeronautics, Space and Transport
HGF - Program:Space
HGF - Program Themes:Research under Space Conditions
DLR - Research area:Raumfahrt
DLR - Program:R FR - Research under Space Conditions
DLR - Research theme (Project):R - Vorhaben Strahlenbiologie (old), R - Vorhaben Artificial Gravity (old)
Location: Köln-Porz
Institutes and Institutions:Institute of Aerospace Medicine > Radiation Biology
Institute of Aerospace Medicine > Gravitational Biology
Deposited By: Kopp, Kerstin
Deposited On:11 Jan 2018 13:39
Last Modified:24 Apr 2024 20:22

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