Iontronic Control of Vmem and Bioelectric Communication in Bacteria
Abstract
Bioelectronics interface electronic devices with biology with the potential for sensing and actuation. Ranging from intercellular communication to organ function, ionic species play an important role in natural systems. A majority of physiological processes, such as muscle contraction, neuronal signaling and metabolism, involve the exchange of ions between cells. Specific to bacteria, ions play a large role in homeostasis and contribute to the communication among bacteria in a colony. Here, we will develop electrophoretic bioelectronic pumps integrated in a microfluidic chip that accommodates cultures of B. subtilis. These pumps will be able to deliver ions and nutrients to B. subtilis to study their communication as a function of nutrient continent. Specifically, we will monitor B. subtilis membrane voltage in the presence of ionic or chemical actuation and explore whether we can control the oscillation in time and space of membrane voltage that have been observed in microfluidic cultures with nutrient shortage. The goal here is to establish two-way communication with bacteria and affect their electronic processes such as membrane voltage without the need for cell penetration. The basic research proposed here aims at developing bioelectronic devices to better understand ion-based cell-to-cell communication in bacteria systems.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Apr 28, 2022
- Source ID
- W911NF2210058
Entities
People
- Marco Rolandi
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- United States Army
- University of California, Santa Cruz