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Twice each year the Center for Biofilm Engineering hosts a conference for its
member companies, for prospective members, and for distinguished guests and
collaborators. If you have not had a chance to attend a Technical Advisory
Conference (TAC), I would like to take this opportunity to give you a feel for
the excitement and energy that this event generates.
Our most recent conference took place at the beginning of February 2005. We
enjoyed a record attendance for a winter TAC, with 42 visitors from 28 companies
and institutes. A glance at this
agenda (pdf), or any of our past agendas, will reveal sessions that reflect
the interests of our diverse industrial partners—from medicine to drinking
water. Because the study of biofilms is inherently interdisciplinary, speakers
cover research results ranging from genetics to electrochemistry to computer
modeling. By encouraging people from academic disciplines and industrial
application areas to mix, the CBE promotes the exchange of techniques and ideas,
and maximizes the potential for the development of integrated solutions to
real-world problems.
The CBE also aspires to bring research and insight from around the globe to the
attention of our industry representatives. Our keynote speaker, Peter Gilbert
from the University of Manchester, UK, shared his expertise in the physiology
and antimicrobial control of biofilms. Five additional guest presenters focused
on topics ranging from biofilms on plants to biofilm issues on the international
space station.
See pictures
of guest speakers and other TAC activities.
While research is the foundation of the Center’s mission, the other dimensions
of its mission are technology transfer and education. So in addition to
presenting research results at our conferences, the CBE facilitates interaction
between our partner companies and regulatory agencies such as the FDA and EPA to
advance the standardization of biofilm methods and product testing. Three EPA
scientists attended February’s conference; one was a featured speaker. This was
also our opportunity to give a demonstration of our latest educational
initiative, a biofilm “hypertextbook,” which was enthusiastically received.
Networking is one of the most beneficial—and fun—activities of a TAC. This is
when connections are forged: at the pre-meeting reception, at informal
breakfasts and lunches, at the poster session (hosted bar), and at the catered
dinner. Companies recruit students for job openings, industrial representatives
trade business cards, and collaborations and sponsored research projects are
hatched.
It would be incomplete to talk about Technical Advisory Conferences without
mentioning the recreational opportunities offered by spending a weekend (or a
week!) in Montana. In the winter, alpine and cross-country skiing possibilities
are close by, as is a wintertime trip to Yellowstone National Park to view
geysers or glimpse wolves and other wildlife. Summertime offers great hiking,
fishing, small-town rodeos, and big sky vistas.
If you are interested in finding out more about our
Industry Program
or in attending a future TAC, please contact Paul Sturman
at (406) 994-2102.
Phil Stewart
Email Dr. Stewart
Phone:
(406) 994-4770 |
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