Automated high-content image-based characterization of microorganism behavioral diversity and distribution.

Microorganisms have evolved complex systems to respond to environmental signals. Gradients of particular molecules and elemental ions alter the behavior of microbes and their distribution within their environment. Microdevices coupled with automated image-based methods are now employed to analyze the instantaneous distribution and motion behaviors of microbial species in controlled environments at small temporal scales, mimicking, to some extent, macro conditions.

Coordination of two opposite flagella allows high-speed swimming and active turning of individual zoospores.

species cause diseases in a large variety of plants and represent a serious agricultural threat, leading, every year, to multibillion dollar losses. Infection occurs when their biflagellated zoospores move across the soil at their characteristic high speed and reach the roots of a host plant. Despite the relevance of zoospore spreading in the epidemics of plant diseases, individual swimming of zoospores have not been fully investigated.

Cross-linked polymer microparticles with tunable surface properties by the combination of suspension free radical copolymerization and Click chemistry.

We propose a general, versatile and broad in scope two-steps approach for the elaboration of cross-linked polymer microparticles (µPs) with tunable functionalities and surface properties. Surface-functionalized cross-linked polymer µPs with diameter in the 80 μm range are prepared by the combination of: 1) suspension free radical copolymerization of styrene, propargyl methacrylate and 1,6-hexanediol dimethacrylate, 2) subsequent covalent tethering of a variety of azide-functionalized moieties (i.e.

Hybrid surfaces combining electropolymerization and lithography: fabrication and wetting properties.

In the current work, we developed a novel method to fabricate hybrid surfaces consisting of mixed hydrophilic/superhydrophobic properties. These surfaces specifically consist of a regular array of hydrophilic pillars (displaying a receding contact angle lower than 90°) surrounded by a superhydrophobic thinner layer made via the electropolymerization of a fluorinated monomer. Then, we determined the wetting properties of various forms of this complex surface, i.

Guidance of zoospores by potassium gradient sensing mediates aggregation.

The biflagellate zoospores of some phytopathogenic Phytophthora species spontaneously aggregate within minutes in suspension. We show here that Phytophthora parasitica zoospores can form aggregates in response to a K gradient with a particular geometric arrangement. Using time-lapse live imaging in macro- and microfluidic devices, we defined (i) spatio-temporal and concentration-scale changes in the gradient, correlated with (ii) the cell distribution and (iii) the metrics of zoospore motion (velocity, trajectory).

Capillary bridge technique to study superhydrophobic surfaces.

We present here the use of the capillary bridge technique to study the wetting properties (advancing and receding contact angles) of transparent, textured and superhydrophobic surfaces over large wetted area. Apparent contact angles on such surfaces are classically measured using a goniometer in combination with video camera side visualization and a drop shape analysis. Recent experiments of Schellenberger et al.

Contrasted enzymatic cocktails reveal the importance of cellulases and hemicellulases activity ratios for the hydrolysis of cellulose in presence of xylans.

Various enzymatic cocktails were produced from two Trichoderma reesei strains, a cellulase hyperproducer strain and a strain with β-glucosidase activity overexpression. By using various carbon sources (lactose, glucose, xylose, hemicellulosic hydrolysate) for strains growth, contrasted enzymatic activities were obtained. The enzymatic cocktails presented various levels of efficiency for the hydrolysis of cellulose Avicel into glucose, in presence of xylans, or not.

Cellulase activity mapping of Trichoderma reesei cultivated in sugar mixtures under fed-batch conditions.

Background: On-site cellulase production using locally available lignocellulosic biomass (LCB) is essential for cost-effective production of 2nd-generation biofuels. Cellulolytic enzymes (cellulases and hemicellulases) must be produced in fed-batch mode in order to obtain high productivity and yield. To date, the impact of the sugar composition of LCB hydrolysates on cellulolytic enzyme secretion has not been thoroughly investigated in industrial conditions.

Contact angle and contact angle hysteresis measurements using the capillary bridge technique.

A new experimental technique is proposed to easily measure both advancing and receding contact angles of a liquid on a solid surface, with unprecedented accuracy. The technique is based on the analysis of the evolution of a capillary bridge formed between a liquid bath and a solid surface (which needs to be spherical) when the distance between the surface and the liquid bath is slowly varied. The feasibility of the technique is demonstrated using a low-energy perfluorinated surface with two different test liquids (water and hexadecane).