Novel Insights into Microbial Behavior Gleaned Using Microfluidics

Microorganisms develop into communities in nearly every environmental niche, which is typically replete with micrometer-scale gaps and features. In each of these habitats, microorganisms adapt to and are affected by their physical environment. Conventional culture methods use glass bottom dishes or millimeter-scale flow cells, which poorly mimic the complexity of natural micrometer-scale environments; therefore, the limitations associated with the creation of microbe-scale environments with granularity hinder the ability to examine their ecological behavior. Microfluidics is a tool that is increasingly being used to study microorganisms because it enables the manipulation of micrometer-scale flows while simultaneously facilitating real-time and live-cell imaging. In this review, we discuss several insights into the behavior of bacteria and fungi that were gained through the adoption of microfluidics to control complex micrometer-scale environments. We also discuss the potential of the increased adoption of this tool.

Automated summary

Microorganisms form communities in various environmental niches that are filled with micrometer-scale gaps and features. These microorganisms adapt to and are influenced by their physical environment. Conventional culture methods do not accurately mimic the complexity of natural micrometer-scale environments, hindering the study of their ecological behavior. Microfluidics has emerged as a valuable tool to study microorganisms, allowing the manipulation of micrometer-scale flows and real-time imaging. This review discusses insights into bacterial and fungal behavior obtained through microfluidics and explores its potential for further adoption.