Directed bacterial surface attachment via optical trapping

We describe a method to direct bacterial surface attachment using an optical trapping approach. By using a moving trap we are able to 'catch' individual cells, move them to a desired location, and attach them to a surface. We also illustrate an extension of the single optical trap by rapidly moving the single laser beam in a desired pattern and manipulating multiple bacteria simultaneously. This rapidly scanning laser optical trap creates a time-averaged light intensity profile capable of concurrently controlling several cells, thereby allowing study of more elaborate bacterial arrays. We demonstrate the utility of optical trapping in investigating the influence of cell spatial distribution and cell orientation on biofilm development. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.