In the ongoing battle against antibiotic-resistant bacteria, or “superbugs,” scientists are constantly seeking innovative tools to understand the mechanisms of resistance and develop effective treatments. One such groundbreaking technology is shear flow systems, which have emerged as game-changers in microbiological research. By simulating the dynamic conditions of bacteria’s natural environments, such as the human body or food processing, shear flow systems provide unique insights into bacterial behavior and resistance mechanisms that traditional static methods simply cannot achieve. In this blog post, we’ll explore the benefits of using shear flow systems to combat antibiotic resistance and develop next-generation therapies.
Antibiotic resistance is a complex phenomenon influenced by a variety of factors, including genetic mutations, horizontal gene transfer, and the formation of biofilms. Traditional laboratory methods often fail to capture the dynamic nature of these processes, leading to incomplete or misleading results. Shear flow systems address this limitation by providing a more realistic environment for bacterial growth and interaction. Here’s how:
1. Mimicking Real-World Conditions
In the human body, bacteria are rarely in a static state. They are constantly exposed to fluid flow, such as blood circulation or urine flow, which influences their behavior and resistance mechanisms. Shear flow systems can replicate these conditions, allowing researchers to study how bacteria respond to antibiotics under realistic physiological conditions. This is critical for understanding how resistance develops and persists in vivo. This benefit was recently highlighted in a webinar presented by Dr. Katharina Richter, a microbiology researcher from the University of Adelaide in Australia. Using a high-throughput BioFlux Shear Flow System, Dr. Richter and her team were able to test 3 different methods of superbug treatments under physiological conditions.
2. Studying Biofilm Formation and Resistance
Biofilms—structured communities of bacteria encased in a protective matrix—are a major contributor to antibiotic resistance. Biofilms are notoriously difficult to treat because they shield bacteria from antibiotics and the immune system. Shear flow systems enable researchers to study biofilm formation in real time, observing how bacteria adhere to surfaces, form microcolonies, and develop resistance under flow conditions. For example, using a BioFlux, Dr. Richter was able to leverage high-resolution imaging to obtain unprecedented insight into the biofilm killing and prevention efficacy of a copper and diethyldithiocarbamate (DDC) combination nanoparticles¹. The group is currently investigating the use of a Cu-DDC infused gel that can be injected into wounds that are at high risk for chronic infection, such as hernia.
3. Evaluating Antibiotic Efficacy
Traditional antibiotic susceptibility tests are performed in static conditions, which may not accurately predict how well a drug will perform in the body. Shear flow systems allow researchers to test antibiotics under dynamic conditions, providing a more accurate assessment of their efficacy. This is particularly important for developing treatments against superbugs, as it helps identify drugs and drug concentrations that can penetrate biofilms and overcome resistance mechanisms under physiological conditions, which can be different than static experiments².
4. High-Throughput Screening
The ability to run multiple experiments simultaneously is ideal for high-throughput screening of potential antibiotics. Researchers often need to test hundreds of compounds to rapidly identify candidates that show promise against resistant strains. A high-throughput system, such as the BioFlux 1000HT, which can be used to assay up to 24 compounds in minutes, can accelerate the drug discovery process and bring us closer to effective treatments for superbugs. Recently, Dr. Richter’s group tested the efficacy of plasma-activated water (PAW) against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Escherichia coli under shear flow conditions. In previous studies, PAW has shown potential in food safety applications, effectively reducing pathogens like Salmonella and Listeria on food surfaces, offering an eco-friendly alternative to chemical sanitizers. Using the high-throughput capabilities of a BioFlux, Dr. Richter’s team tested different types of PAW and found that one formulation was particularly effective against both gram-positive and gram-negative biofilms³. Her lab is now using these results to prepare a clinical trial to evaluate PAW for the treatment of diabetic foot infections.
Salmonella Typhimurium ATCC 14028 biofilm formation over 18 h, effects of treatment with PTW types, media (growth control) or RO water (vehicle control), and bacterial recovery 3 days post-treatment using the Bioflux system. Images were taken at 20x magnification. Green staining (SYTO 9) represents viable bacteria, red staining (propidium iodide; PI) represents dead bacteria. Richter et al. Antibiotics 2023
As the threat of antibiotic-resistant superbugs continues to grow, innovative tools like shear flow systems are essential for advancing our understanding of resistance mechanisms and developing effective treatments. The BioFlux system, with its ability to replicate real-world conditions and provide real-time insights, is at the forefront of this effort. Researchers such as Dr. Katharina Richter are leveraging the user-friendly throughput of BioFlux to bridge the gap between traditional lab methods and the complex dynamics of the human body. Shear flow systems are revolutionizing the fight against superbugs and bringing us closer to a future where antibiotic resistance is no longer a global health crisis.
If you’re a researcher or clinician working in the field of microbiology, now is the time to explore the potential of shear flow systems. Together, we can unlock the secrets of antibiotic resistance and develop the next generation of life-saving therapies. To learn more about novel methods in the fight against superbugs, check out Dr. Richter’s webinar “New Weapons Against Superbugs.”
References
Dr. Anson Blanks completed his BS in exercise physiology at East Carolina University and his MS in clinical exercise science at Appalachian State University. After working as a clinical exercise physiologist in cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, Dr. Blanks decided to pursue a career in scientific research. He attended Virginia Commonwealth University, where he completed his Ph.D. in Rehabilitation and Movement Science. After spending several years as a research and development scientist in biotechnology industry, Dr. Blanks is now a scientific marketing manager for Cell Microsystems in Durham, NC.
In the ongoing battle against antibiotic-resistant bacteria, or “superbugs,” scientists are constantly seeking innovative tools to understand the mechanisms of resistance and develop effective treatments. One such groundbreaking technology is shear flow systems, which have emerged as game-changers in microbiological research. By simulating the dynamic conditions of bacteria’s natural environments, such as the human body or food processing, shear flow systems provide unique insights into bacterial behavior and resistance mechanisms that traditional static methods simply cannot achieve. In this blog post, we’ll explore the benefits of using shear flow systems to combat antibiotic resistance and develop next-generation therapies.
Antibiotic resistance is a complex phenomenon influenced by a variety of factors, including genetic mutations, horizontal gene transfer, and the formation of biofilms. Traditional laboratory methods often fail to capture the dynamic nature of these processes, leading to incomplete or misleading results. Shear flow systems address this limitation by providing a more realistic environment for bacterial growth and interaction. Here’s how:
1. Mimicking Real-World Conditions
In the human body, bacteria are rarely in a static state. They are constantly exposed to fluid flow, such as blood circulation or urine flow, which influences their behavior and resistance mechanisms. Shear flow systems can replicate these conditions, allowing researchers to study how bacteria respond to antibiotics under realistic physiological conditions. This is critical for understanding how resistance develops and persists in vivo. This benefit was recently highlighted in a webinar presented by Dr. Katharina Richter, a microbiology researcher from the University of Adelaide in Australia. Using a high-throughput BioFlux Shear Flow System, Dr. Richter and her team were able to test 3 different methods of superbug treatments under physiological conditions.
2. Studying Biofilm Formation and Resistance
Biofilms—structured communities of bacteria encased in a protective matrix—are a major contributor to antibiotic resistance. Biofilms are notoriously difficult to treat because they shield bacteria from antibiotics and the immune system. Shear flow systems enable researchers to study biofilm formation in real time, observing how bacteria adhere to surfaces, form microcolonies, and develop resistance under flow conditions. For example, using a BioFlux, Dr. Richter was able to leverage high-resolution imaging to obtain unprecedented insight into the biofilm killing and prevention efficacy of a copper and diethyldithiocarbamate (DDC) combination nanoparticles¹. The group is currently investigating the use of a Cu-DDC infused gel that can be injected into wounds that are at high risk for chronic infection, such as hernia.
Imagine working with a rare patient-derived cell samples. In a traditional setup, you might need 1 milliliter of sample (equivalent to about 20 drops) to run an experiment. With a microfluidic system, you could potentially get the same results with just 10 microliters (about one-half of a single drop). This efficiency opens up entirely new research possibilities, especially in fields where sample availability is a limiting factor.
Whether due to rarity, cost, or difficulty in obtaining samples, the ability to conduct meaningful experiments with limited sample volumes has long been a goal in biological and chemical research. In this quest for more efficient and precise laboratory techniques, microfluidic shear flow systems have emerged as game-changing tools. These systems are not only reducing the amount of sample required for experiments but are also proving their versatility across a wide range of sample types.
Traditional experimental setups, including static and non-microfluidic shear flow, often demand significant amounts of material, which can be both costly and impractical. This is especially true when working with precious or limited samples such as rare biological specimens, expensive chemicals, or newly synthesized compounds. Enter microfluidic shear flow systems – an elegant solution that’s revolutionizing how investigators approach assays. These miniaturized platforms are proving invaluable across multiple disciplines by dramatically reducing sample requirements from milliliters down to microliters, while maintaining experimental integrity. This up to 1000-fold reduction in sample volume is particularly crucial when working with substances, such as patient-derived cells or novel pharmaceuticals. By significantly reducing the volume of reagents and samples needed, these systems cut costs and make experiments more sustainable.
Equally as impressive as their sample and reagent reduction ability, is the versatility of microfluidic shear flow systems to adapt to different types of samples.
The ability to work with multiple sample types in the same system allows researchers to explore different experimental conditions without the need for multiple specialized setups. By precisely controlling channel geometries and flow rates, researchers can subject different sample types to well-defined shear conditions, enabling detailed studies of cellular mechanics, protein interactions, and material properties.
By Jessica Hartman, Ph.D.
Toiling in the lab
With a deadline on its way
To the scope I go
On a Saturday
I don’t see a clone
I’ve looked for one that’s right
What misery these data bring,
I’ll have to look all night,
Oh! Single cells, single cells, dilutions aren’t the way
Oh, I wish I had an AIR to pick a clone, to-da-ay!
Single cells, single cells, I need a better way
Use a Raft to grow a clone or be sad this holiday!
Use a Raft to grow a clone or be sad this holiday!
Now it’s getting late
My spirits are so low
My PI will hate
If my cells don’t grow
My eyesight’s getting dim
A clone I cannot see
My chances are so slim
I need CellRaftA microscale polystyrene growth surface within an array used to spatially segregate cells/colonies while maintaining shared media access, enabling imaging over time and targeted isolation. More Cytometry
Oh! Single cells, single cells, sorters aren’t the way
Oh, I wish I had an AIR to pick a clone, to-da-ay!
Single cells, single cells, I need a better way
Use a Raft to grow a clone or be sad this holiday!
Use a Raft to grow a clone or be sad this holiday!
Oh! Single cells, single cells, dispensers aren’t the way
Oh, I wish I had an AIR to pick a clone, to-da-ay!
Single cells, single cells, I need a better way
Use a Raft to grow a clone or be sad this holiday!
Use a Raft to grow a clone or be sad this holiday!
“Single Cell” vocalist: Virginia Laurie
