Inside millions of stomachs around the country are tiny corkscrew-shaped bacteria called Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). More than 13% of Americans carry this unwelcome guest, which can cause serious health issues, including painful ulcers and cancer.
A National Science Foundation-funded study from the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering will examine how H. pylori navigate through the thick, gel-like materials found in human stomachs, research that could help develop methods to hamper the microorganisms and prevent the diseases they cause.
“H. pylori is the only bacteria that survives in the acidic environment of the stomach,” said project researcher Hadi Mohammadigoushki, an associate professor in the Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering. “They are able to penetrate the protective gastric mucus layer because of the way they swim.”
By studying the locomotion of these organisms, scientists can innovate new treatments for infections and potentially strengthen the mucus barrier against bacteria.
“By unlocking the mysteries of how these bacteria maneuver, we can open the door to alternative therapies that might be more effective.”
— Hadi Mohammadigoushki, associate professor, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
EXPERIMENTING TO UNDERSTAND FLUID MOVEMENT
To understand how H. pylori travels, the researchers are developing a miniature robot that will simulate the bacteria’s movement through an environment similar to a human stomach.
By recreating the environment and viscosity of fluids in the stomach, the team can study locomotion in experiments and simulations, allowing them to investigate under which conditions the bacteria move most efficiently.
Their investigations will identify two critical thresholds that H. pylori must surpass: The torque needed for rotation and the force required for propulsion.
“It’s akin to driving a screw into a wall,” Mohammadigoushki said. “A gentle nudge won’t do the trick, but the right amount of force can make all the difference.”
In previous work published in Physical Review Letters, the researchers first created a 3D model of H. pylori to better understand its movement. This project will continue that work by incorporating new simulations into their study.
Researchers will monitor the properties of the stomach-simulating fluid to understand how it affects the robot’s swimming performance. In future experimentation, they plan to use more advanced computer simulations, allowing them to compare their real-life findings with theoretical predictions.
They plan to use a technique called prism flow analysis, which involves dividing fluid flow into smaller sections known as “prisms.” This method allows for a detailed examination of how fluids behave and interact with materials, helping to improve their understanding of the fluid mechanics involved in working with these challenging materials.
WHY IT MATTERS
The goal is to uncover new treatment possibilities that could enhance our body’s defenses, such as strengthening the mucus barrier in our stomachs, which serves as a critical line of defense against such bacteria.
“While antibiotics have long been the mainstay for treating ulcers, they can present some challenges,” Mohammadigoushki said. “By unlocking the mysteries of how these bacteria maneuver, we can open the door to alternative therapies that might be more effective.”
The discoveries from this study could reach far beyond H. pylori, potentially offering insights that apply to various organisms, from earthworms navigating through soil to parasites exploring their habitats. Imagine micro-robots designed to deliver medications directly to cancer cells or tiny devices that mimic H. pylori’s swimming patterns to explore beneath the Earth’s surface for vital resources like water or oil.
“We want to develop innovative engineering designs that can benefit a large range of applications in both mechanical and biological fields, and studying the movement of these bacteria will help us accomplish that goal,” said project researcher Kourosh Shoele, an associate professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering.
The project will contribute to workforce development by building a collaborative fluid dynamics research and education program at FAMU-FSU College of Engineering. The study is supported by a $500,000 grant from the U.S. National Science Foundation Division of Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental and Transport Systems.