Prediction and quantification of bacterial biofilm detachment using Glazier–Graner–Hogeweg method based model simulations

Abstract Morphological changes in bacterial biofilm structures arise from the fluid-structure interactions between the biofilm and the surrounding fluid. Depending on the magnitude of the force acting on the structure, the bacteria rearrange to attain an equilibrium shape or get washed away by the moving fluid. Understanding the dynamics behind the evolution of such equilibrium or failed states can aid in development of tools for biofilm removal or eradication. We develop a Glazier–Graner–Hogeweg method-based model to explore the collective evolution of biofilm morphology arising from cell-cell and cell-fluid interactions. We show that low adherence and high motility of the cells leads to sloughing of biofilms. Also, streamers are found to form under laminar flow conditions in tightly packed biofilms. In mixed species biofilms, we found that a species with less cell-cell binding affinity gets eroded faster than its counterpart. Therefore, we hypothesize that in nature these less-adherent species should be present encapsulated within the biofilm structure to maximize their chances of survival.