Center for Biofilm Engineering News Update:  March, 2002 Volume 5, Issue 3   __________________________________________   Research Highlights   ISI Highly Cited Researcher   Dr. Bill Costerton was recognized in December 2001, as a highly cited author in the field of microbiology by the pretigious Institute for Scientific Information's (ISI). ISI designated 94 microbiologists as being highly cited, honoring 74 Americans, 19 Europeans, and 1 Japanese. In the Inter-Mountain West region, Bill and his CBE research team were the only highly cited entity in the fields of science or engineering. ISI covers other broad subject categories including life sciences, medicine, physical sciences, and social sciences.   As quoted from ISI's website, "These individuals are the most highly cited within each category for the period 1981-1999, and comprise less than one-half of one percent of all publishing researchers--truly an extraordinary accomplishment." Self citations are excluded by ISI to prevent any self promotion efforts, so the >550 papers that Bill has published in refereed journals does not influence ISI's records. Congratulations, Bill!   See www.ISIHighlyCited.com.   _______   Dental Products Standards   The American Dental Association Standards Committee on Dental Products, met in Chicago on February 20-21, 2002. The purpose of this meeting was to develop standard testing protocols for the assessment of efficacy of products designed to remove or kill biofilms in dental unit water lines. The next meeting of this committee will be held at the Organization for Safety and Asepsis Procedures in Nashville, TN, May 16-19, 2002. CBE's Paul Sturman has been invited to attend these meetings.   _______   Biofilm Mechanics Research Area A newly named Research Area in the Center will be "Biofilm Mechanics." There has already been an active, interdisciplinary group in this area, thanks largely to Paul Stoodley's organizational efforts. The Biofilm Mechanics area will continue to investigate issues such as the dynamic, flowing nature of biofilms, measurement of viscoelastic material properties of biofilms, biofilm detachment, and alternative approaches to manipulating biofilms through better understanding of their mechanical properties. The CBE's efforts in this area are unique in the global biofilm research community and we are pleased to be in the forefront of this interface between mechanics and biology.   _________________________________________   Welcome New Industrial Associates   Gambro Corporate Research Gambro is a global, medical technology and healthcare company with leading positions in renal care - services and products - and blood component technology, such as dialysis, separation equipment, etc. The designated representative is Ingrid Ledebo. Website: http://www.gambro.com   Genencor International, Inc. Genencor began in 1982 as a joint venture between Genentech and Corning Glass Works. They started in the development of protein engineering and protein expression technologies as tools to improve naturally occurring enzymes. These technologies enable the synthesis of new molecules such as pharmaceutical glyco-biologicals, and result in new enzyme products for a variety of consumer applications. Manoj Kumar is the designated representative. Website: http://www.genencor.com/webpage_templates/home.php3   Genome Therapeutics Corp. Genome Therapeutics is a leader in the commercialization of genomics-based drug discovery. Their commercial gene discovery strategy is to identify and characterize human genes associated with major diseases and elucidate bacterial genes responsible for many serious infectious diseases. Genome Therapeutics is using genomic information to develop a new generation of genomics-based pharmaceutical, vaccine and diagnostic products. The company has strategic partnerships, including Schering-Plough, AstraZeneca, Wyeth-Ayerst and bioMérieux. Tim Opperman is the designated representative. Website: http://www.genomecorp.com   Vivendi Water A subsidiary of Vivendi Universal (giant conglomerate) which now also owns US Filter (a former CBE Industrial Associate). They develop technologies and infrastructure for water and wastewater treatment. Sebastian Saby is the designated representative. Website: http://www.vivendiwatersystems.co.uk/frmMid_about.html (UK website)   _________________________________________   Honorary Degree   Dr. Bill Costerton received an honorary degree (degree of Doctor of Science honoris causa) from the University of Guelph in recognition of his distinguished work on biofilms in environmental and medical microbiology. In addition to receiving his degree, Bill also gave a convocation address to the students graduating from the College of Biological Science at University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada, February 20-22, 2002.   _______   The REU Program: An Industry/Education Opportunity   The CBE is extending an invitation to our Industrial Associates to participate in the Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program. For the past eleven summers, the CBE has hosted eight talented undergraduate students from across the nation to participate in an intensive 10-week research program sponsored by the National Science Foundation. For the past two years, the CBE has broadened the students' experience by incorporating projects directly sponsored by a CBE Industrial Associate. The combination has made for great collaborations, with both the student and Industrial Associate benefiting.   For more information, please visit http://www.erc.montana.edu/CBEssentials-SW/education/REU/industry.htm or contact Darla Goeres at darla_g@erc.montana.edu   _______   Characklis Award Recepient   Nurdan Yurt, Ph.D. candidate in chemical engineering, was recently nominated for the W.G. Characklis Award. Nurdan has been working with the CBE Biomineralization team on quantifying microbially modified electrochemistry of metals, specifically on microbial corrosion of 316L stainless steel, a research project sponsored by the Office of Naval Research. Results of her research have contributed to present understanding of mechanisms of microbially influenced corrosion.   Her noted accomplishments include authorship and co-authorship on papers, presentations at national and international meetings, developing novel algorithms to interpret microsensor measurement results, and developing research protocols. Nurdan has often participated in activities outside the scope of her research, serving the CBE research community and the research community at large. She plans to graduate in May of 2002.   See the Biomineralization team members at http://www.erc.montana.edu/CBEssentials-SW/research/Biomineralization/biomin_research_grp.htm   For more information regarding the W.G. Characklis award, please visit http://www.erc.montana.edu/CBEssentials-SW/education/ed-basics-wgc.htm   _______   New MSU Chair for Engineering and Computer Science   John Sears, chemical engineering, was named the new MSU Chair for Engineering and Computer Science. The position is partially funded by the generosity of private supporters of the college. Sears stepped down as head of the chemical engineering department to begin his new duties. Sears will lead the development of a plan for multidisciplinary team experiences and assessment; help coordinate educational components of the electro-chemical engineering project (fuel cell initiative); and serve as a senior advisor for COE self-study reporting for accreditation. He will also maintain some teaching, research and service assignments. For Sears this marks the end of nearly 20 years of service as head of chemical engineering. During that time he has led the department through tremendous growth, including involvement in the creation of the Center for Biofilm Engineering and other initiatives. Ron Larsen will serve as department head for chemical engineering on a term appointment through June 2004.   _______   Biofilm Art   After several years of introducing biofilms to MSU math and science departments, the CBE now has the opportunity to introduce biofilm science to the arts. The CBE and the MSU Department of Art have co-created an exhibit entitled "Bioglyphs: A Living Collaboration with Bioluminescent Bacteria" for the Art InFusion exhibits, a campus-wide activity sponsored by the art department. The biofilm science art will be exhibited in the Exit Gallery of the Student Union Building, April 22nd through May 3rd. The exhibit involves collaborative work of faculty, students and staff from both departments.   _________________________________________   Upcoming CBE Workshops and Meetings     Industrial Associate Conference and TAC Meeting July 23-25, 2002 Montana State University _______   Biofilm Image Analysis Workshop July 25-26, 2002 Center for Biofilm Engineering Montana State University Bozeman, MT, U.S.A Daily workshop activities will include lectures and laboratory sessions. The lectures will cover biofilm structure and image analysis of biofilms. The lab sessions will cover how to acquire biofilm images and how to use the biofilm image analysis software developed by the Biofilm Structure and Function Research Group. Workshop details and registration forms can be found at: http://www.erc.montana.edu/CBEssentials-SW/research/Structure_function/default.htm _______   Microsensors: Manufacture and Applications Workshop August 19-23, 2002 Center for Biofilm Engineering Montana State University Bozeman, MT, U.S.A Microsensors (pH, dissolved oxygen, ion selective microelectrodes) are becoming indispensable tools for studying biofilms and small biological samples. The goal of this workshop is to provide the 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 sponsored by the Biofilm Structure and Function Research Group at the Center for Biofilm Engineering, Montana State University. The activities include four days of lectures and lab sessions, and a one-day field trip to Yellowstone National Park.  For details on this workshop see the following web address. http://www.erc.montana.edu/CBEssentials-SW/research/Structure_function/default.htm See the Events Calendar for more conference and workshop information at http://www.erc.montana.edu/CBEssentials-SW/whats_new/index.htm   __________________________________________   CBE People in Action   Dr. Anne Camper was session moderator for "Biofilms and Biosolids" at WEF Disinfection 2002, St. Petersburg, FL, February 18, 2002. She also presented "Risky Biofilms." The conference was jointly sponsored by the American Water Works Association and the Water Environment Federation (WEF).   Dr. Bill Costerton was invited speaker for the Melville Hare Memorial Lecturer at the University of Rochester Medical Center, Department of Microbiology & Immunology, February 18-19, 2002. He presented "Biofilms in Nature and Disease."   __________________________________________   Theses   See theses abstracts at http://www.erc.montana.edu/Res-Lib99-SW/pubs/Theses/default.htm     __________________________________________   Web Watch     Subscribe to the BiofilmsOnline.com Newsletter   A newsletter subscription will keep you notified of recent postings in the Biofilm News, Patents and Research Digest. The Subscribe link is located under Current Contents.  See the BiofilmsOnline.com March issue at http://www.BiofilmsOnline.com.    _______   Recent Web Updates   Check the Recent Web Updates link located on the CBE home page, to view the latest information posted on the CBE web.   See <http://www.erc.montana.edu/Recent%20Web%20Updates/default.htm>    __________________________________________   Newsletter Listserve   The CBE News Update is a listserve newsletter. If you need to subscribe or unsubscribe from the listserve, follow the directions at the following CBE website.   http://www.erc.montana.edu/Res-Lib99-SW/newsarchives/subscribe.htm   An alternative to subscribing to the listserve is to view the CBE News Update on our web page at http://www.erc.montana.edu/Ind-Col99-SW/Current_Newsletter/default.htm. Newsletter archives can be found at http://www.erc.montana.edu/Res-Lib99-SW/newsarchives/index.htm   __________________________________________   Diane Williams  editor of the CBE News Update