Escherichia coli as a model active colloid: A practical introduction

Jana Schwarz-Linek; Jochen Arlt; Alys Jepson; Angela Dawson; Teun Vissers; Dario Miroli; Teuta Pilizota; Vincent A. Martinez; Wilson C K Poon

doi:10.1016/j.colsurfb.2015.07.048

Escherichia coli as a model active colloid: A practical introduction

Jana Schwarz-Linek, Jochen Arlt, Alys Jepson, Angela Dawson, Teun Vissers, Dario Miroli, Teuta Pilizota, Vincent A. Martinez^*, Wilson C K Poon

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

The flagellated bacterium Escherichia coli is increasingly used experimentally as a self-propelled swimmer. To obtain meaningful, quantitative results that are comparable between different laboratories, reproducible protocols are needed to control, 'tune' and monitor the swimming behaviour of these motile cells. We critically review the knowledge needed to do so, explain methods for characterising the colloidal and motile properties of E. coli cells, and propose a protocol for keeping them swimming at constant speed at finite bulk concentrations. In the process of establishing this protocol, we use motility as a high-throughput probe of aspects of cellular physiology via the coupling between swimming speed and the proton motive force.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	2-16
Number of pages	15
Journal	Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces
Volume	137
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colsurfb.2015.07.048
Publication status	Published - 1 Jan 2016

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

Active colloids
Bioenergetics
Differential dynamic microscopy
Escherichia coli
Metabolism
Motility
Proton motive force

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10.1016/j.colsurfb.2015.07.048

Revised_CSB Poon Perspectives 2015Submitted manuscript, 762 KB

Cite this

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title = "Escherichia coli as a model active colloid: A practical introduction",

abstract = "The flagellated bacterium Escherichia coli is increasingly used experimentally as a self-propelled swimmer. To obtain meaningful, quantitative results that are comparable between different laboratories, reproducible protocols are needed to control, 'tune' and monitor the swimming behaviour of these motile cells. We critically review the knowledge needed to do so, explain methods for characterising the colloidal and motile properties of E. coli cells, and propose a protocol for keeping them swimming at constant speed at finite bulk concentrations. In the process of establishing this protocol, we use motility as a high-throughput probe of aspects of cellular physiology via the coupling between swimming speed and the proton motive force.",

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T1 - Escherichia coli as a model active colloid

T2 - A practical introduction

AU - Schwarz-Linek, Jana

AU - Arlt, Jochen

AU - Jepson, Alys

AU - Dawson, Angela

AU - Vissers, Teun

AU - Miroli, Dario

AU - Pilizota, Teuta

AU - Martinez, Vincent A.

AU - Poon, Wilson C K

PY - 2016/1/1

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N2 - The flagellated bacterium Escherichia coli is increasingly used experimentally as a self-propelled swimmer. To obtain meaningful, quantitative results that are comparable between different laboratories, reproducible protocols are needed to control, 'tune' and monitor the swimming behaviour of these motile cells. We critically review the knowledge needed to do so, explain methods for characterising the colloidal and motile properties of E. coli cells, and propose a protocol for keeping them swimming at constant speed at finite bulk concentrations. In the process of establishing this protocol, we use motility as a high-throughput probe of aspects of cellular physiology via the coupling between swimming speed and the proton motive force.

AB - The flagellated bacterium Escherichia coli is increasingly used experimentally as a self-propelled swimmer. To obtain meaningful, quantitative results that are comparable between different laboratories, reproducible protocols are needed to control, 'tune' and monitor the swimming behaviour of these motile cells. We critically review the knowledge needed to do so, explain methods for characterising the colloidal and motile properties of E. coli cells, and propose a protocol for keeping them swimming at constant speed at finite bulk concentrations. In the process of establishing this protocol, we use motility as a high-throughput probe of aspects of cellular physiology via the coupling between swimming speed and the proton motive force.

KW - Active colloids

KW - Bioenergetics

KW - Differential dynamic microscopy

KW - Escherichia coli

KW - Metabolism

KW - Motility

KW - Proton motive force

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/84951573357

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DO - 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2015.07.048

M3 - Article

SN - 0927-7765

VL - 137

SP - 2

EP - 16

JO - Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces

JF - Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces

ER -

Escherichia coli as a model active colloid: A practical introduction

Abstract

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

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PHYSAPS: The Physics of Active Particle Suspensions