Interacting with bacteria by electricity and fluidics

by Munehiro Asally (University of Warwick)

Thursday 23 Jan 2020, 15:00 → 16:00 Europe/Rome

Aula Conversi (Dip. di Fisica - Edificio G. Marconi)

Synthetic biology and bioengineering typically interact with cells using chemical reagents. As proven by optogenetics, biophysical means of interacting with cells could offer allow precise control in time and space. We have developed new techniques for interacting with individual bacterial cells using electricity or fluidics. Using this, we investigate how internal cellular states may affect cellular responses to electrical stimulus and invented a new technology for rapidly detecting live bacterial cells, which can be used for microbial assessments and investigations. Lastly, I will also present the technique to control biofilm expansion in space and time.