Theory of Electromagnetic-Based Communication within Bacterial Communities

A novel model referred to as electromagnetically-coupled system of mechanical oscillators is presented in this paper to unravel the concept of possible electromagnetic-based communication between bacterial cells within bacterial communities (biofilms). This study is motivated by desire to decipher the information transferred between the cells and through such signaling try to control physiological activities of biofilms for treating related diseases efficiently. The Lagrangian technique which is the resultant of Hamilton's principle is applied to solve the coupled system of electromechanical oscillators representing the structure of a biofilm. Through this formulations, it is shown how individual cells can radiate electromagnetic waves and at which frequency bands. In addition, synchronization phenomena between the cells within biofilm samples through EM coupling is predicted. Our modeling results indicate presence of EM communication between bacteria within kilohertz to gigahertz ranges.