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Bacteria are the most ubiquitous life-forms on Earth, and are studied extensively to gain insight into their function and understand how they interact with their environment. In recent years, bacterial biophysics has added a new dimension to this research by using the tools of physics to investigate the quantitative principles that underpin these cellular systems. This book provides a modern and cohesive introduction to bacterial biophysics, with a focus on biofilms, slimes and capsules. In the first of three sections, key techniques and models from the physical sciences that can be applied to bacterial problems are presented. Section 2 then provides a bacterial microbiology primer for physical scientists and an examination of single-cell phenomena. The final section explores interacting bacteria and biofilms from a physical perspective. Ideal for physics graduates interested in this important field, this book is also relevant for researchers in physical chemistry, bioengineering, mathematics and microbiology.
‘Tom Waigh’s masterful The Physics of Bacteria cleverly guides the reader through all of the key physics concepts relevant to understanding bacteria, and how to investigate their exotic and remarkable properties from the level of molecules through to cells and populations of cells. The book seamlessly moves through a swathe of relevant physical tools, including those that can track molecules and cells, measure electrochemical potentials and mesoscale forces, as well as those which can both measure emergent properties at higher length scales, and how to model these, including advanced machine learning approaches. The book then effortlessly articulates the core biological concepts concerning both single bacteria and the science behind interacting bacterial cells. This perfectly balanced interdisciplinary tome is a must-read for anyone interested in either the biophysics of bacteria, or the physical tools used to probe them.’
Mark C. Leake - University of York
‘Bacteria play an essential role in supporting a range of ecosystems, from regulating metabolism within the human gut to cycling carbon within Earth’s atmosphere. Whether the reader’s interest lies in the molecular building blocks of bacteria or their population dynamics in biofilms, this thoughtful compendium provides a useful introduction to anyone wanting to better understand the physical principles that govern the microbial world.’
Joshua N. Milstein - University of Toronto
‘This is a book aimed at bridging between physics, and more specifically soft matter physics, and the behaviour of bacteria. It starts off by considering the relevant physics and goes on to consider some basic facts about bacteria which will be needed in order to understand its application. The final third of the book gives a more detailed discussion of the physics of aggregates of interacting bacteria, for instance in biofilms. It will be invaluable for researchers setting out in the field, and also for final year undergraduates who are interested in the interface between physics and this particular branch of biology. With a comprehensive set of references for those who want to delve further into the topic, it is written in an accessible way for those who want a general introduction, in short chapters each describing a particular aspect of the field.’
Athene Donald - University of Cambridge
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