(222d) Differential Response of Mucoid and Non-Mucoid Pseudomonas Aeruginosa isolates to Interfacial Confinements

Fluid interfaces are energy-rich environments known to influence the self-assembly of small molecules or microparticles, and the formation of thin films by biological entities. The formation of bacterial films at fluid interfaces appears to be a dynamics process, in which cells coping with the existing interfacial energies respond to the entrapment by forming a matrix appropriate to their survival. We hypothesize that cells subjected to interfacial stress adapt and exhibit phenotypic changes essential to their survival. In this study, we are investigating the response to interfacial confinement of two clinical strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from the airways of cystic fibrosis patients. To evaluate what phenotypic changes at fluid interfaces provide growth advantage, we are comparing a mucoid (PASL) and non-mucoid strain (PANT) of P. aeruginosa secreting various level of polysaccharides. We are investigating the mechanical properties of films formed by these cells to understand how they adapt and restructure environments with high interfacial energies. Some intrinsic properties of the cells confer viscoelastic behavior facilitating their adaption as characterized by the apparent moduli of the elastic films observed using pendant drop elastometry and particle tracking. Further characterization of whole genome and the transcriptomes of cells under interfacial confinements will provide new insights on the biological implications of interfacial films.