Data from Bioaerosol Longevity (10-2020)

The airborne transmission of infection relies on the ability of pathogens to survive aerosol transport as they transit between hosts. Understanding the parameters that determine the survival of airborne microorganisms is critical to mitigating the impact of disease outbreaks. Conventional techniques for investigating bioaerosol longevity in vitro have systemic limitations that prevent the accurate representation of conditions that these particles would experience in the natural environment. Here, we archive data from a new approach that enables the robust study of bioaerosol survival as a function of relevant environmental conditions. The methodology utilizes droplet-on-demand technology for the generation of bioaerosol droplets (1 to >100 per trial) with tailored chemical and biological composition. These arrays of droplets are captured in an electrodynamic trap and levitated within a controlled environmental chamber. Droplets are then deposited on a substrate after a desired levitation period (<5 seconds to >24 hours). The response of bacteria to aerosolisation can subsequently be determined by counting colony forming units, 24 hours after deposition.

传染病的空气传播依赖于病原体在宿主间转移时，可在气溶胶传输过程中存活的能力。明确决定空气传播微生物存活的关键参数，对于减缓疾病暴发的危害具有重要意义。传统的体外研究生物气溶胶（bioaerosol）存活时长的技术存在系统性局限，无法准确复现这些颗粒物在自然环境中所面临的实际条件。本数据集存档了一种全新研究方法的相关数据，该方法可基于相关环境条件的变化，稳健地开展生物气溶胶存活情况的相关研究。该方法采用按需液滴（droplet-on-demand）技术生成生物气溶胶液滴（单次试验可产生1至>100个液滴），并可定制其化学与生物组成。这些液滴阵列将被捕获于电动阱（electrodynamic trap）中，并在可控环境舱（environmental chamber）内实现悬浮。经过预设的悬浮时长（从<5秒至>24小时不等）后，将液滴沉积至底物表面。沉积完成24小时后，可通过计数菌落形成单位（Colony Forming Units, CFU）确定细菌对气溶胶化过程的响应情况。