Simulating mass transfer dynamics of auto-inducer protein during S. aureus biofilm development under physiological flow using COMSOL.

Jennie Leach, Department of Chemical, Biological, and Environmental Engineering, UMBC

Graduate Student: Opeyemi Ajay,  Department of Chemical, Biological, and Environmental Engineering, UMBC

On their pathway to becoming virulent and biofilm forming pathogens, adherent S. aureus cells secrete auto-inducer peptide (AIP1) into their immediate environment. The purpose of this has been found to be related to quorum sensing. We are studying ways to control bacterial adhesion patterns in order to determine the impact on the formed biofilm.

We are using COMSOL to simulate the AIP1 mass transfer dynamics under flow when the biofilm develops within a parrallel plate flow chamber assembly. This study aim to expand on quorum sensing studies for S. aureus and ultimately aid in improved therapeutics for bacterial biofilm infections.