Thermodynamic Surface Analyses to Inform Biofilm Resistance
T. Brian Cavitt,
Jasmine G. Carlisle,
Alexandra R. Dodds,
Rebecca A. Faulkner,
Tyson C. Garfield,
Verena N. Ghebranious,
Phillip R. Hendley,
Emily B. Henry,
Charles J. Holt,
Jordan R. Lowe,
Jacob A. Lowry,
D. Spencer Oskin,
Pooja R. Patel,
Devin Smith,
Wenting Wei
Affiliations
T. Brian Cavitt
Lipscomb University, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, One University Park Drive, Nashville, TN 37204, USA; Abilene Christian University, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, ACU Box 28132, Abilene, TX 79699-8132, USA; Corresponding author
Jasmine G. Carlisle
Lipscomb University, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, One University Park Drive, Nashville, TN 37204, USA
Alexandra R. Dodds
Abilene Christian University, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, ACU Box 28132, Abilene, TX 79699-8132, USA
Rebecca A. Faulkner
Abilene Christian University, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, ACU Box 28132, Abilene, TX 79699-8132, USA
Tyson C. Garfield
Abilene Christian University, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, ACU Box 28132, Abilene, TX 79699-8132, USA
Verena N. Ghebranious
Lipscomb University, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, One University Park Drive, Nashville, TN 37204, USA
Phillip R. Hendley
Abilene Christian University, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, ACU Box 28132, Abilene, TX 79699-8132, USA
Emily B. Henry
Lipscomb University, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, One University Park Drive, Nashville, TN 37204, USA
Charles J. Holt
Abilene Christian University, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, ACU Box 28132, Abilene, TX 79699-8132, USA
Jordan R. Lowe
Abilene Christian University, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, ACU Box 28132, Abilene, TX 79699-8132, USA
Jacob A. Lowry
Abilene Christian University, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, ACU Box 28132, Abilene, TX 79699-8132, USA
D. Spencer Oskin
Lipscomb University, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, One University Park Drive, Nashville, TN 37204, USA
Pooja R. Patel
Lipscomb University, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, One University Park Drive, Nashville, TN 37204, USA
Devin Smith
Abilene Christian University, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, ACU Box 28132, Abilene, TX 79699-8132, USA
Wenting Wei
Lipscomb University, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, One University Park Drive, Nashville, TN 37204, USA
Summary: Biofilms are the habitat of 95% of bacteria successfully protecting bacteria from many antibiotics. However, inhibiting biofilm formation is difficult in that it is a complex system involving the physical and chemical interaction of both substrate and bacteria. Focusing on the substrate surface and potential interactions with bacteria, we examined both physical and chemical properties of substrates coated with a series of phenyl acrylate monomer derivatives. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) showed smooth surfaces often approximating surgical grade steel. Induced biofilm growth of five separate bacteria on copolymer samples comprising varying concentrations of phenyl acrylate monomer derivatives evidenced differing degrees of biofilm resistance via optical microscopy. Using goniometric surface analyses, the van Oss-Chaudhury-Good equation was solved linear algebraically to determine the surface energy profile of each polymerized phenyl acrylate monomer derivative, two bacteria, and collagen. Based on the microscopy and surface energy profiles, a thermodynamic explanation for biofilm resistance is posited.
