Self-assembly dynamics and effect on synthetic nanobio-optical properties by hybrid monocolored silica nanoparticle labeling of Escherichia coli

Abstract. The deposition of silica nanoparticles on Escherichia coli bacteria was investigated. The noncovalent interaction between the silanized surfaces and polar components of the biomembrane resulted in a nanobiostructure. This hybrid architecture showed stable conformation characteristics evaluated with different microscopy techniques, such as bright field confocal microscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Nanobioarchitectures were detected within colloidal dispersions and in the absence of aqueous media. Nanobiointeractions were related to strong polar and hydrogen bridges’ noncovalent interactions. Thus, well-constituted and defined nanobiostructures were observed by bright field confocal microscopy and TEM after their preparation in optimal conditions. However, to evaluate their stability and internanobiostructure interactions, size distributions within variable periods were determined. Variable nanobioaggregate sizes were recorded according to nanoparticles and bacteria concentrations. From single nanolabeled E. coli with well dispersible properties, low bacteria concentrations were observed. In intermediate and high concentrations, different distributions of nanobiostructures were observed in different periods. It was observed that the incorporation of silica nanoparticles into E. coli increased their dispersibility; however, their modified E. Coli membranes with silanized nanosurfaces augmented their internanobiostructure interactions through time. Here, we discuss the dynamics and nanobio-optics properties of E. coli. Their nanobiostructures could not be considered to be static systems; their interactions are regarded as important factors for dispersibility, stability, and effects against additional chemical agents such as antibiotics.