Abstract

Overview

The study investigates the unique approach of using electricity to mediate the growth of Escherichia coli, aiming to enhance the understanding of spatial control in bacterial cultures.

Methods

• Application of voltage using two gold wires on a glass coverslip covered with agar.
• Observation of E. coli cells using brightfield and fluorescence microscopy.
• Comparison of cell growth within and outside the electric field to delineate the effects of voltage application.

Findings

An applied voltage notably suppresses E. coli cell elongation and division, with a noticeable recovery to control levels once the voltage is ceased. Additionally, cell depolarization correlates with applied voltage, suggesting a response mediated by membrane potential changes.

Conclusion

The study effectively utilizes subcytotoxic voltages to differentiate growth phases of E. coli cells, contributing valuable insights to the burgeoning field of bacterial electrophysiology. This could have broad implications on understanding and controlling bacterial behavior with electrical stimuli.