CBE Research Area: 

Biofilm Structure and Function 

Goals:   We are investigating physical, chemical and microbial structure of biofilms using image analysis, microsensors, and molecular probes. Our research group consists of microbiologists and chemical, civil, environmental, mechanical, computer and electrical engineers.
	Conceptual illustration of heterogeneous biofilm structure, showing cell clusters, streamers, and water channels. (P. Dirckx, 1996)

The Structure and Function Research Area studies biofilms from two inherently related points of view: (1) the physical association of a biofilm with its environment and the spatial organization of biofilm components (structures) and (2) the dynamic chemical and physiological interactions between a biofilm and its environment (functions). The goal of this research area is to develop understanding of the processes that control the morphological structure and reactivity of a biofilm. 

Critical to the design, analysis, and scale-up of any biofilm process is an understanding of how microscale structure and local microbial reactivity affect meso- and macroscale system performance. The overall objectives of this Research Area (RA) are to define the structural details of biofilms, to explore the mechanisms by which these structures are formed, and to determine their effects on the activity of bacterial cells living within these sessile populations. A central premise within this RA is that these elaborate structures are not random, but that they all play a role in the enhanced survival and physiological success of the biofilm population. 

During the first years of the Center's existence the overriding general conclusion of this RA has been that bacterial biofilms are remarkably heterogeneous in virtually all parameters that can be measured accurately and reproducibly. These heterogeneities: structural, physiological, ecological, electrical, etc., have been implicated as the cause of many phenomena characteristic of the attached mode of growth and frequently less intensive or nonexistent in planktonic cultures. 

Therefore, quantification of heterogeneity has been identified as one of the primary goals for this group, an activity that will, in the future, form theoretical and empirical bases to study the relations between various heterogeneities (structure) and the intensity of specific effects they are associated with (function). Such a process is already in progress with regard to quantifying the relations between the structural heterogeneity and the intensity of mass transport in biofilms. An important consequence of structural heterogeneity is that it modifies the intensity of mass transport to deeper layers of biofilms. This effect is carefully examined using an array of microscale techniques developed and refined within this RA. 

For more information, mail Dr. Zbigniew Lewandowski.

Image Structure
Analyzer prepared by Dr. Haluk Beyenal

Workshops:

2007 Workshops
 

Video demonstration of biofilm streamer movement

by Mark Groenenboom

(This will run automatically in Internet Explorer.  If you are using Netscape, you will need to click on the image in the new window to activate it.)

Links to CBE  Publications
(search by topic)