The Physics of Bacteria
From Cells to Biofilms

This book provides an up-to-date primer on bacterial biophysics for physical scientists, mathematicians and microbiologists.

Thomas Andrew Waigh (Author)

9781009313520, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 19 December 2024

382 pages
26.5 x 18.8 x 2.9 cm, 0.892 kg

'This is a book aimed at bridging between physics, and more specifically soft matter physics, and the behaviour of bacteria. It starts off by considering the relevant physics and goes on to consider some basic facts about bacteria which will be needed in order to understand its application. The final third of the book gives a more detailed discussion of the physics of aggregates of interacting bacteria, for instance in biofilms. It will be invaluable for researchers setting out in the field, and also for final year undergraduates who are interested in the interface between physics and this particular branch of biology. With a comprehensive set of references for those who want to delve further into the topic, it is written in an accessible way for those who want a general introduction, in short chapters each describing a particular aspect of the field.' Athene Donald, University of Cambridge

Bacteria are the most ubiquitous life-forms on Earth, and are studied extensively to gain insight into their function and understand how they interact with their environment. In recent years, bacterial biophysics has added a new dimension to this research by using the tools of physics to investigate the quantitative principles that underpin these cellular systems. This book provides a modern and cohesive introduction to bacterial biophysics, with a focus on biofilms, slimes and capsules. In the first of three sections, key techniques and models from the physical sciences that can be applied to bacterial problems are presented. Section 2 then provides a bacterial microbiology primer for physical scientists and an examination of single-cell phenomena. The final section explores interacting bacteria and biofilms from a physical perspective. Ideal for physics graduates interested in this important field, this book is also relevant for researchers in physical chemistry, bioengineering, mathematics and microbiology.

Part I. Physical Tools: 1. How to track cells and molecules
2. Statistics of bacterial motility
3. The electrochemical potential of a cell
4. Mesoscopic forces and adhesion
5. Reaction-diffusion equations
6. Polymeric structure and dynamics
7. Colloidal structure and dynamics
8. Liquid crystals
9. Low Reynolds number hydrodynamics
10. Viscoelasticity
11. Systems biology
12. Non-linear dynamics
13. Experimental characterisation techniques
14. Machine learning
Part II. Single Bacteria: 15. An introduction to bacteria
16. Growth of bacteria
17. Motility
18. Chemotaxis and detection
19. Molecular machines
20. Capsules and slimes
Section III. Interacting Bacteria and Biofilms: 21. Dynamics and viscoelasticity of suspensions and biofilms
22. Interacting populations
23. Biofilm formation
24. Action of antibiotics – a physical perspective
25. Bacterial diseases
26. Systems biology and synthetic biology with biofilms
27. Simulation of cells and biofilms 12
28. Communication between bacteria
29. Bacteria and electricity
30. Manipulation of biofilms
31. Other applications
Appendix.

Subject Areas: Biophysics [PHVN]