Manipulation of Micro-Structure by Self-Powered Bacteria

박테리아의 추진을 이용한 마이크로 구조의 조작

Flagellate bacteria such as Escherichia coli or Serratia marcescens possess a remarkable motility system based on a reversible rotary motor. We have employed S. marcescens as microactuators in low Reynolds number fluidic environments to move a larger engineering element around. Microstructures fabricated using conventional microfabrication techniques are blotted on the swarm plate, which leaves a bacterial monolayer on the surface of the microstructure. We have investigated microstructures powered by bacteria to determine how cell orientation on the microstructure surface relates to the swarming patterns as well as how the orientation is affected by the blotting process. This study will help to refine directional control of bacterial transporters by exploiting bacterial sensory mechanisms.