E. Coli Moves Like a Kayak

Experts at the Yale University have for the first time ever observed the motions of the common Escherichia Coli (E. coli) bacteria in a liquid. They determined that the microorganism moves in a kayak paddle-like motion, a find that could help further the field of pathogen study. Details of their research were published online, in the September 29 issue of the respected scientific journal Physical Review Letters, e! Science News reports.

According to the Yale engineers, the new investigation may in the future provide microbiologists with new methods of preventing the spread of bacteria. This type of pathogens is responsible for the onset and development of a large number of medical conditions, and a way of keeping them in check would make for a groundbreaking disease-preventing method. The research was prompted by the fact that experts have for a long time argued that bacteria must move in periodic “orbits,” That is to say, it has been inferred, that they adopt a kayak paddle-like method of going forward even before the actual measurements were made.

“They find the most efficient route to migrate upstream, and we ultimately want to understand the mechanism that allows them to do that,” says of bacteria Yale School of Engineering & Applied Science associate professor Hur Koser. He adds that hydrodynamic interactions between bacterial cells and the currents inside liquids align the pathogens' cells in such a way that they can go forward upstream. Postdoctoral associate Tolga Kay worked closely with Koser on the new study. Kay is also the lead author of the journal entry.

For their observations, the experts used tens of thousands of individual, non-flagellated E. coli bacteria, placed in a water and glycerin solution. The motions were observed using advanced mathematical algorithms, as well as complex computer and imaging technology. Millions of high-resolution images of the bacterial group were snapped. Observations were favored by the fact that the solution amplified the motions that the bacteria made, and so they became more noticeable.

“Understanding the physics of bacterial movement could potentially lead to breakthroughs in the prevention of bacterial migration and sickness. This might be possible through mechanical means that make it more difficult for bacteria to swim upstream and contaminate water supplies, without resorting to antibiotics or other chemicals,” Koser concludes.