R. Rusconi

A microfluidic platform for characterizing the structure and rheology of biofilm streamers

This paper introduces a microfluidic platform to study biofilm streamer structure, morphology, and rheology under controlled conditions.

The structural role of bacterial eDNA in the formation of biofilm streamers

This study shows that extracellular DNA (eDNA) forms the backbone of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm streamers and is essential for their mechanical stability, with exopolysaccharide Pel playing an indirect role.

The effect of flow on swimming bacteria controls the initial colonization of curved surfaces

This study shows that flow conditions control where motile bacteria attach to curved surfaces, with attachment preferentially occurring on leeward sides and downstream of apexes, and increases attachment rates by up to two orders of magnitude compared to non-motile cells.

Synthesis and degradation of FtsZ determines the first cell division in starved bacteria

The paper shows that FtsZ synthesis and degradation determine the first division of starved bacteria in response to nutrient pulses.