Microscopic visualization of novel Cyanobacterial biofilms for bioproduction: bringing secretome-altered Synechocystis to the human eye in dual color
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Sami Kupfner
Presenter(s): Sami Kupfner
Mentors(s): Darcy Hunstiger
Unicellular photosynthetic microbes, like cyanobacteria, are not visible to the naked eye. Microscopy analysis of cell-cell and cell-surface interactions supports the development of ecologically and financially sustainable algal bioproduction systems. Industrial algal cultivation grows cells in large volumes of water. While algae produce carbon-neutral products, growth incurs high separation and water-use costs that biofilm cultivation can reduce. This project focuses on the characterization of secretome-engineered mutants of a model industrial cyanobacterium Synechocystis PCC 6803 (S. 6803) which does not readily form biofilms. Biofilms consist of cells and various extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), impacting how cells aggregate. The Peebles lab has engineered a library of S. 6803 mutants with altered EPS and cell adhesion properties. In planktonic culture, mutants show altered adhesion suggesting biofilm cultivation. We hypothesize that mutants produce varying amounts of EPS compared to unmodified controls and exhibit changes in cell interactions. Data presented highlights progress toward a quantitative microscopy pipeline for characterizing S. 6803 mutants using techniques like Differential Interference Contrast (DIC) with dual-staining of cells and EPS to assess EPS content and morphology. Developing this microscopy analysis reveals the impact of altered EPS on adhesion, supporting development of sustainable, biofilm-based cyanobacterial production strains.