The physics of bacterial biofilms

This experimental project will investigate the physical effects that are important in the creation of bacterial biofilms by Bacillus subtilis. These bacteria naturally occur in soil and have important applications in agriculture. They have been recently shown to use electrical signalling to transfer information inside biofilms (potassium ions). We will therefore examine the electrical waves in biofilms using fluorescence microscopy and study the biofilm structure using super-resolution fluorescence microscopy (STORM). We will also examine the genetics of the bacteria to better understand their transmission and detection of electrical signals.