Optimising the 3-channel microfluidic system to investigate chemical gradient impacts on bacterial chemotaxis in fluid and near surfaces (2511.09534v1)

Abstract: Bacteria can adjust their swimming behaviour in response to chemical variations, a phenomenon known as chemotaxis. This process is characterised by a drift velocity that depends non-linearly on the concentration of the chemical species and its local gradient. To study this process more effectively, we optimised a 3-channel microfluidic device designed to create a stable gradient of chemoattractants. This setup allows us to simultaneously monitor the response of Escherichia coli to casamino acids or alpha-methyl-DL-aspartic acid at the individual level.