The definition and understanding of host-cell interactions is a key area of research in the field of antimicrobial resistance or disease transmission.

The possibility of deciphering the relationship between an invading cellular species within a surrounding healthy tissue would enhance current knowledge and would afford key advantages in terms of therapies or drug development.

Over the last few years, we have been expanding our research in this area, as we have become extremely proficient in handling “living cells” with our AFMs (Atomic Force Miscroscopes).

We are now able to not only investigate the morphological and mechanical properties of individual living cells or those grown within a scaffold (bacterium, fungus, fibroblast, human marrow stroma, for example), but to functionalise AFM cantilevers with such cells whilst maintaining their viability.

Thus, we are now investigating the mode of adhesion of various bacterial species on surfaces by elucidating the roles of single adhesins.

This approach offers the possibility of studying a wide range of topics such as the onset of bacterial infections in host or the osseointegration of implants though STEM cell technology, for example.

Related published papers

Marshall H., Aguayo S., Kilian M., Petersen F., Bozec L. and Brown J., (2019) In Vivo Relationship between the Nano-Biomechanical Properties of Streptococcal Polysaccharide Capsules and Virulence Phenotype. ACS Nano, – Joint Senior Author

Pattem, J., Davrandi, M., Aguayo, S., Allan, E., Spratt, D., & Bozec, L. (2018). A Multi-scale Biophysical Approach to Develop Structure-Property Relationships in Oral Biofilms. Scientific Reports, 8 (1), 5691. doi:10.1038/s41598-018-23798-1

Aguayo, S., Strange, A., Gadegaard, N., Dalby, M. J., & Bozec, L. (2016). Influence of biomaterial nanotopography on the adhesive and elastic properties of Staphylococcus aureus cells. RSC ADVANCES, 6 (92), 89347-89355. doi:10.1039/c6ra12504b

Aguayo, S., & Bozec, L. (2016). Mechanics of Bacterial Cells and Initial Surface Colonisation. Biophysics of Infection, 245-2605

Aguayo, S., Donos, N., Spratt, D., & Bozec, L. (2016). Probing the nanoadhesion of Streptococcus sanguinis to titanium implant surfaces by atomic force microscopy. International Journal of Nanomedicine, 11, 1443-1450. doi:10.2147/IJN.S100768