Surface exploration in bacteria

The near-surface swimming patterns of bacteria are strongly determined by the hydrodynamic interactions between bacteria and the surface, which trap bacteria in smooth circular trajectories that lead to inefficient surface exploration. Here, we show that surface exploration results from a complex interplay between motility and transient surface adhesion events. These events allow bacteria to break the smooth circular trajectories and regulate their transport properties [*]. In particular, we find that there is an optimal adhesion frequency that maximizes surface exploration.
[*] Perez-Ipina et al., Nature Physics 15 (6), 610-615 (2019).