Fluid flow and environmental geometry guide the journey of swimming bacteria.

Secchi, Eleonora · Cell · 2026

basic_science · Level V

Where this comes from

Abstract

In natural and artificial settings, fluid flow and hydrodynamic interactions shape how bacteria attach to surfaces and form biofilms. Tao et al. show that motile E. coli can swim upstream through microstructured environments, revealing how the interplay between geometry and flow governs invasion dynamics and suggesting design principles to prevent bacterial colonization.

Medical subject headings