Center for Biofilm Engineering

News Update: 

December, 2005

Volume 8, Issue 12

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Research Highlights

Paper Spotlight

by Darla Goeres
 

Statistical assessment of the CDC biofilm reactor
 

Microbial biofilms are grown in laboratories using a variety of different approaches. The choice of biofilm reactor paired with the choice of operational parameters dictates the qualities a biofilm exhibits. For a biofilm researcher, the goal is to choose a reactor and set of operational parameters that best represent the environment under investigation. This paper describes a novel laboratory biofilm reactor system, called the CDC Biofilm Reactor (CBR) designed to grow biofilm under moderate to high fluid shear stress, an associated standard operating procedure (SOP) and the results of a rigorous, intra-laboratory, statistical evaluation of the repeatability and ruggedness of this system. To summarize the results, the mean Pseudomonas aeruginosa log₁₀ density was 7.1 cfu/cm², independent of the coupon position within the reactor. The repeatability standard deviation of the log density based on one coupon per experiment was 0.59. Analysis of variance showed that the variability of the log density was 53% attributable to within-experiment sources and 47% attributable to between-experiments sources. The ruggedness evaluation showed that the method was insensitive to minor perturbations in the time allowed for initial surface colonization, temperature, nutrient concentration, and fluid shear stress on the biofilm. The results demonstrate that the CBR system is a reliable experimental tool for growing a standard biofilm in the laboratory under moderate to high shear conditions.

ASTM subcommittee E35.15 is currently voting on a proposed standard method based upon growing biofilm in the CDC reactor.

“Statistical Assessment of a Laboratory Method for Growing Biofilms”
Goeres, DM, LR Loetterle, MA Hamilton, RM Murga, DW Kirby, RM Donlan
Microbiology 151:757-762 (2005)

Read the abstract at: http://www.erc.montana.edu/Res-Lib99-SW/pubs/Abstracts/2005/05-005.htm
 

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Upcoming Technical Advisory Conference
 

The CBE’s semi-annual conference is scheduled for February 2-3, 2006. We hope you can attend! See the Draft Agenda on the CBE home page at: http://www.erc.montana.edu/default.htm.

For non-members, see our Special Invitation to the conference at: http://www.erc.montana.edu/Ind-Col99-SW/IAP/tac/TAC_invite.htm

The keynote speaker will be Peter Greenberg, Chair and Professor of Microbiology, University of Washington.

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New Industrial Associate Member

We’re happy to announce that American Air Liquide, Inc. has joined the CBE’s Industrial Associate program. James Yuan will be the designated representative. Air Liquide makes industrial gases that are used in a variety of applications, including healthcare and food safety. Read more about Air Liquide at: http://www.us.airliquide.com/en/index.asp
 

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Recent CBE Publications

The Special Edition of Water Science and Technology dedicated to the Biofilms 2004 conference in Las Vegas has been published. Wat. Sci. Tech. 2005; 52(7):1-239

“A 3D Model of Antimicrobial Action on Biofilms”
Hunt, S.M., M.A. Hamilton and P.S. Stewart
Wat. Sci. Tech. 2005; 52(7):143-148

“Uranium Removal by Sulfate Reducing Biofilms in the Presence of Carbonates”
Marsili, E., H. Beyenal, L. DiPalma, C. Merli, A. Dohnalkova, J.E. Amonette, and Z. Lewandowski
Wat. Sci. Tech. 2005; 52(7):49-56

"Visualization and Characterization of Dynamic Patterns of Flow, Growth and Activity of Biofilms Growing in Porous Media"
Sharp, R.R., P. Stoodley, M. Adgie, R. Gerlach, and A. Cunningham
Wat. Sci. Tech. 52(7):85-90 (2005)

"Calcium Influences Cellular and Extracellular Product Formation During Biofilm-Associated Growth of a Marine Pseudoalteromonas sp."
Patrauchan, M.A., S. Sarkisova, K. Sauer and M.J. Franklin
Microbiology, 151(9):2885-2897 (2005)

"Epimerase Active Domain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa AlgG, a Protein That Contains a Right-Handed ß-Helix"
Douthit, S.A., M. Dlakic, D.E. Ohman and M.J. Franklin
J. Bacteriol., 187(13):4573-4583 (2005)

"Prevention of Staphylococcal Biofilm-Associated Infections by the Quorum Sensing Inhibitor RIP"
Balaban, N., P. Stoodley, C.A. Fux, S. Wilson, J.W. Costerton and G. Dell'Acqua
Clin. Orthop. Relat. R., 437:48-54 (2005)

"Role of Biofilms in Neurosurgical Device-Related Infections"
Braxton, E.E., G.D. Ehrlich, L. Hall-Stoodley, P. Stoodley, R. Veeh, C.A. Fux, F.Z. Hu, M. Quigley and J.C. Post
Neurosurg. Rev., 28:249-255 (2005)

"Mucosal Biofilm Formation on Middle-Ear Mucosa in a Nonhuman Primate Model of Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media"
Dohar, J.E., P.A. Hebda, R. Veeh, M. Awad, J.W. Costerton, J. Hayes and G.D. Ehrlich
Laryngoscope, 115(8):1469-1472 (2005)

"Assessment of the Ability of the Bioelectric Effect to Eliminate Mixed-Species Biofilms"
Shirtliff, M.E., A. Bargmeyer and A.K. Camper
Appl. Environ. Microbiol., 71(10):6379-6382 (2005)

"Ultrasonically Controlled Release of Ciprofloxacin from Self-Assembled Coatings on Poly(2-Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate) Hydrogels for Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilm Prevention"
Norris, P., M. Noble, I. Francolini, A.M. Vinogradov, P.S. Stewart, B.D. Ratner, J.W. Costerton and P. Stoodley
Antimicrob. Agents Chemother., 49(10):4272-4279 (2005)

"In situ Biofilm Barriers: Case Study of a Nitrate Groundwater Plume, Albuquerque, New Mexico"
Dutta, L., H.E. Nuttall, A. Cunningham, G. James, and R. Hiebert
Remediation, 15(4):101-112 (2005)

"Biofilms Strike Back"
O'Toole, G.A. and P.S. Stewart
Nat. Biotechnol., 23(11):1378-1379 (2005)


To read paper abstracts or to order paper copies see:
http://www.erc.montana.edu/Res-Lib99-SW/pubs/Database/PD_DisplayScript.asp

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Education

Undergraduate Research Awards

Several undergraduates were awarded Undergraduate Scholar's Program (USP) and IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) scholarships to work in the CBE laboratories. The students and their project titles are listed below.

Project title: Molecular analysis of microbial biofilms in chronic wounds
Student: Pat Secor, Biochemistry
Mentor: Elinor Pulcini

Project title: Microbial fuel cells
Student:: Jake Wiggs, Chemical Engineering
Mentor: Haluk Beyenal

Project title: Reduction of TNT, chromium (VI) and carbontetrachloride by zero-valent iron
Student: David Steppler, Biochemistry
Mentor: Robin Gerlach

Project title: Microbial fuel cells: Storing power in a capacitor and measuring MFC efficiency
Student: Alan Weeden
Mentor: Haluk Beyenal

Project title: Toxic Shock Syndrome Toxin 1 (TSST-1) production by Staphylococcus aureus in a chemostat
Student: Chelsea Grace, Chemical and Biological Engineering
Mentor: Haluk Beyenal

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CBE People in Action

Phil Stewart has been invited to speak at Pacifichem 2005, Honolulu, HI December 15−20, 2005. This conference is co-sponsored by the American Chemical Society, the Chemical Society of Japan, the Canadian Society for Chemistry, the Korean Chemical Society, the New Zealand Institute of Chemistry, and the Royal Australian Chemical Institute. Phil will present "Alternative Strategies for Biofilm Control."

Anne Camper presented “Pathogen Integration into Biofilms,” American Water Works Association Water Quality Technology Conference, Quebec City, Quebec Canada, November 6−8, 2005.

Anne Camper presented “Public Health and Small Water Systems: Report of an International Colloquium,” American Water Works Association Water Quality Technology Conference, Quebec City, Quebec Canada, November 6−8, 2005.

Anne Camper gave a workshop presentation “Monitoring Methods for Bacteria in Chloraminated Water,” American Water Works Association Water Quality Technology Conference, Quebec City, Quebec Canada, November 6−8, 2005.

Joseph Menicucci presented "Sustainable Power Measurement for a Microbial Fuel Cell," AIChE Annual Meeting, Cincinnati, OH, October 30 − November 4, 2005.

 
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Biofilm Education Resources

Upcoming CBE Workshops

“Biofilm Methods Workshop,” organized by the CBE
Montana State University, February 1, 2006. See the 2006 agenda at: http://www.erc.montana.edu/CBEssentials-SW/whats_new/wAgenda06.pdf

For more information about the Biofilm Methods Workshops, go to: http://www.erc.montana.edu/Ind-Col99-SW/Workshops/
 

“Biofilms Summer School,” organized by the CBE's Biofilm Structure-Function Research Group, includes the following three workshops listed below.
Bookmark this site: http://www.erc.montana.edu/CBEssentials-SW/research/workshops/default.htm
July 24 – August 4, 2006
Details:  http://www.erc.montana.edu/CBEssentials-SW/research/workshops/SUMMER%20SCHOOL%20-%20BIOFILMS.pdf

Biofilm Structure Quantification and Image Analysis
July 24 – 25, 2006
Details:  http://www.erc.montana.edu/CBEssentials-SW/research/workshops/Biofilm Structure Quantification and Image Analysis.pdf

Fundamentals of biofilm research
July 26 – 28, 2006
Details: http://www.erc.montana.edu/CBEssentials-SW/research/workshops/Fundamentals of biofilm research.pdf

Microsensors – manufacture and applications –
July 31 – August 4, 2006
Details: http://www.erc.montana.edu/CBEssentials-SW/research/workshops/Microsensors workshop.pdf

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Web Watch

BiofilmsOnline.com

See the BiofilmsOnline.com December issue at http://www.BiofilmsOnline.com.

Subscribe to the bi-weekly newsletter by registering at: http://www.biofilmsonline.com/cgi-bin/biofilmsonline/newsletter_signup.html

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Newsletter Listserve

The CBE News Update is a listserve newsletter. If you wish 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.

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