AVS 51st International Symposium
    Biomaterial Interfaces Monday Sessions
       Session BI-MoP

Paper BI-MoP29
Cell-Surface Interactions between Marine Diatoms and Fouling-Release Coatings Studied with Atomic Force Microscopy

Monday, November 15, 2004, 5:00 pm, Room Exhibit Hall B

Session: Poster Session
Presenter: P.F.M. Terán Arce, Montana State University
Authors: P.F.M. Terán Arce, Montana State University
R. Avci, Montana State University
I.B. Beech, University of Portsmouth, UK
K.E. Cooksey, Montana State University
B. Wigglesworth-Cooksey, Montana State University
Correspondent: Click to Email
Interactions between marine microorganisms, and fouling release coatings are of major significance to the Navy and maritime industry. This interaction usually occurs by means of adhesive exopolymers (EPS) secreted by the microorganisms, which allow them to attach and settle on different surfaces. In the present study, viable marine diatom cells were immobilized on tipless AFM cantilevers and used as bioprobes to investigate the adhesion forces between exopolymers, produced by the immobilized diatoms, and surfaces of Intersleek (@super TM@ International Paints) elastomers. These forces, as well as the work exerted against them, were statistically compared with the forces between the same diatoms and mica surfaces. In spite of the dissimilar character of Intersleek (hydrophobic) and mica (hydrophilic) surfaces, comparable results were obtained on both. Force vs distance curves on both surfaces presented several adhesion peaks with force magnitudes that ranged from hundreds of pNs to tens of nNs and polymer elongations up to several microns. These results demonstrate the ability of diatoms to produce hydrophobic and hydrophilic exopolymers.