Intermittent flow paths in biofilms grown in a microfluidic channel

Biofilms exposed to flow experience shear stress, which leads to a competitive interaction between the growth and development of a biofilm and shearing. In this study, Pseudomonas fluorescens biofilm was grown in a microfluidic channel and exposed to forced flow of an aqueous solution of variable velocity. It can be observed that under certain conditions preferential flow paths form with a dynamic, but quasi-steady state interaction of growth, detachment, and re-attachment. We find that the regimes for preferential flow path development are determined by nutrient availability and the ratio of shear stress versus the biofilm’s ability to resist shear forces. The intermittent regime of flow paths is mainly driven by the supply with nutrients, which we confirm by comparison with a numerical model based on coarse-grained molecular dynamics and Lattice Boltzmann hydrodynamics. • Biofilm growth with preferential flow paths depends on shear and nutrient conditions. • Biofilms can develop by adapting to varying growth conditions and environments. • Biofilm cohesiveness influences flow paths but not detachment event frequency. • Detachment events are mainly driven by flow speed and nutrient availability