Microfluidic-based Growth and Imaging of Bacterial Biofilms

Abstract

[Abstract] Biofilms are a ubiquitous form of growth for bacteria on surfaces in most environments, natural or manmade. Here we present a protocol using the Bioflux microfluidic system to investigate the organized structure and development of these multicellular communities. Microfluidic systems present an opportunity to grow biofilms in a stable, physiologically maintained environment that is readily observable via time-lapse microscopy.