Title: Biofilm Rheology: Properties, Applications, and Uncertainty

Abstract: Biofilms—communities of bacteria encased in a self-produced extracellular matrix—exhibit unique mechanical properties that are essential to their formation, persistence, and adaptation to environmental conditions. These properties emerge dynamically as biofilms interact with their physical and chemical surroundings. Recent advances have provided deeper insights into the structural composition of the biofilm matrix and the genetic regulation of its polymeric constituents. In this talk, we will examine longitudinal rheological observations of mutant biofilm strains to elucidate the role of specific polymer types within the matrix. Additionally, from a mathematical perspective, we will explore parametric uncertainty and forward uncertainty propagation, discussing their implications for previous studies and future research directions.