A Predictive Computational Framework for Staphylococcus aureus Biofilm Growth Stages in Hydrodynamic Conditions

TL;DR

This paper introduces a computational model to predict how Staphylococcus aureus biofilms grow and detach under different fluid conditions, which could help in controlling infections.

Contribution

The study introduces a novel computational framework to segment and model S. aureus biofilm dynamics under hydrodynamic conditions.

Findings

Intermediate shear rates trigger early detachment and suppress regrowth of S. aureus biofilms.

Lower and higher shear regimes promote biofilm persistence.

The model identifies thresholds in mechanical and nutritional inputs affecting biofilm stability.

Abstract

Biofilms formed by Staphylococcus aureus on medical devices and tissue surfaces are a major contributor to persistent infections due to their resistance to antibiotics. Hydrodynamic forces in physiological and device-associated environments significantly influence biofilm development, yet the dynamics of detachment and regrowth under flow remain poorly quantified. In this study, biofilm surface coverage was measured in microfluidic flow assays across combinations of shear rates and nutrient concentrations. A computational workflow was used to segment biofilm trajectories into three kinetic phases—growth, exodus, and regrowth—based on surface coverage dynamics. Each phase was modeled using parametric functions, and fitted parameters were interpolated across experimental conditions to reconstruct biofilm lifecycles throughout the flow–nutrient conditions. The analysis revealed that intermediate shear rates triggered early detachment events while suppressing subsequent regrowth, whereas lower and higher shear regimes favored biofilm persistence. The resulting model enables quantitative comparison of condition-specific biofilm behaviors and identifies key thresholds in mechanical and nutritional inputs that modulate biofilm stability. These findings establish a phase-resolved framework for studying S. aureus biofilms under hydrodynamic stress and support future development of targeted strategies to control biofilm progression in clinical and engineered systems.

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