Microsensors (pH, dissolved oxygen, ion selective microelectrodes, etc.) are becoming indispensable tools for studying biofilms and small biological samples. The goal of this workshop is to provide participants with the knowledge necessary to design, manufacture, and apply such microsensors. Lab sessions and lectures will illustrate the electrochemical principles of the measurements, explain how microsensors are manufactured, and demonstrate how they are applied to study biofilms.

The workshop is offered by the Biofilm Structure and Function Research Group at the Center for Biofilm Engineering, Montana State University. Members of this group have extensive experience in constructing microsensors, probing biofilms, and in computing numerical parameters characterizing biofilm activity. For a detailed description of our activities, please see http://www.erc.montana.edu/CBEssentials-SW/research/Structure_function/. 

Activities include 4 days of lectures and lab sessions, and a one-day field trip to Yellowstone National Park.

Lecture Topics  (>top)

Laboratory sessions and demonstrations

• Construction and use of oxygen microsensors

• Construction and use of H₂O₂ microelectrodes 

• Construction and use of pH microelectrodes with liquid ion exchanger membranes

• Measurement of dissolved oxygen profiles in a biofilm

• Construction and use of fiber optic microsensors

• Computer assisted micromanipulation and data acquisition

• Calculating kinetic parameters from oxygen concentration profiles

Instructors  (>top)                                                            

Zbigniew Lewandowski is the the workshop director and a professor in the MSU Civil Engineering Department and in the Center for Biofilm Engineering (CBE) at Montana State University.  He is also the principal investigator of the Biofilm Structure and Function Research Group at the CBE. He has 15 years of experience in studying biofilms and has co-authored more than 60 papers on using microsensors to study biofilms.

Haluk Beyenal is an assistant research professor of Chemical Engineering at the Center for Biofilm Engineering. He has conducted research on biofilms since 1990 and on microsensors and biofilm structure and function since 1996. He has co-authored more than 40 publications on biofilms.

Location  (>top)

The workshop will be held at the Center for Biofilm Engineering at Montana State University. The campus is located in Bozeman, in the beautiful Gallatin Valley, nestled in the Northern Rocky Mountains. Directions and a map of the area will be sent to you with your registration materials.

Accommodations  (>top)

Participants are encouraged to stay at one of the following hotels due to their close proximity to the Montana State University campus.

Best Western - City Center Motel, 507 W. Main St., Bozeman, MT (406) 587-3158

Lewis and Clark Motel of Bozeman, 824 W Main St, Bozeman, MT (406) 586-3341

Fees and Registration  (>top)

The number of participants is limited, and reservations will be accepted on a first come, first served basis. Therefore, pre-registration is necessary. In order to pre-register, please call or e-mail Dr. Haluk Beyenal (contact information is given below). Once pre-registered, you will receive a confirmation number. No payments will be accepted without a confirmation number! The payment must be received by June 6, 2005. The cost of the workshop is $2,500, which includes all workshop materials, the field trip to Yellowstone National Park (lunch and dinner provided), a final farewell dinner, a continental breakfast in the mornings, and coffee. The fee may be paid by check, money order, credit card or purchase order (made payable to Center for Biofilm Engineering). To register please complete the registration form and return it with the fee to Dr. Haluk Beyenal.

Registration form (please contact us first, for pre-registration)

Cancellation                                                                                    The organizers reserve the right to cancel the workshop because of insufficient enrollment or other unforeseen circumstances. If the program is cancelled, the organizers will refund all registration fees, but can not be held responsible for any other related costs, charges, or expenses, including cancellation/change charges assessed by airlines or travel agencies.

Refunds will be made for cancellations by registrants received in writing by July 1, 2005. The participant has to pay $50 as an administrative fee if he/she cancels by July 1, 2005. After that, the participant or organization will be held responsible for the entire fee. Anyone who is registered but cannot attend may send a substitute.

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