Bacterial Footprints in Elastic Pillared Microstructures.

Soft substrates decorated with micropillar arrays are known to be sensitive to deflection due to capillary action. In this work, we demonstrate that micropillared epoxy surfaces are sensitive to single drops of bacterial suspensions. The micropillars can show significant deformations upon evaporation, just as capillary action does in soft substrates.

Pattern Formation by Staphylococcus epidermidis via Droplet Evaporation on Micropillars Arrays at a Surface.

We evaluate the effect of epoxy surface structuring on the evaporation of water droplets containing Staphylococcus epidermidis (S. epidermidis). During evaporation, droplets with S.

Bacterial viability on chemically modified silicon nanowire arrays.

The global threat of antimicrobial resistance is driving an urgent need for novel antimicrobial strategies. Functional surfaces are essential to prevent spreading of infection and reduce surface contamination. In this study we have fabricated and characterized multiscale-functional nanotopographies with three levels of functionalization: (1) nanostructure topography in the form of silicon nanowires, (2) covalent chemical modification with (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane, and (3) incorporation of chlorhexidine digluconate.

The protein tyrosine phosphatase-BL, modulates pancreatic beta-cell proliferation by interaction with the Wnt signalling pathway.

In pancreatic beta-cells, increased expression of the MODY5 gene product, HNF1 beta, leads to enhanced rates of apoptosis and altered regulation of the cell cycle, suggesting that control of HNF1 beta expression may be important for the control of beta-cell proliferation and viability. It is unclear how these effects of HNF1 beta are mediated, but previously we have identified a protein tyrosine phosphatase, (PTP)-BL, as an HNF1 beta-regulated protein in beta-cells and have now studied the role of this protein in INS-1 beta-cells. Stably transfected cells were generated, which express either wild-type (WT) or a phosphatase-deficient mutant (PTP-BL-CS) of PTP-BL conditionally under the control of a tetracycline-regulated promoter.

Macroporous gel particles as robust macroporous matrices for cell immobilization.

A new design of robust matrices for cell immobilization is described. Macroporous gels (MGs) with immobilized microbial cells were prepared at subzero temperatures and were formed inside a plastic core (so-called, protective housing). Due to the protective housing the macroporous gel particles with immobilized cells can be used in well-stirred bioreactors.