4. What is the mission of the Center for Biofilm Engineering, and what are its goals?

The CBE has identified goals in three areas of activity. In the area of research, the CBE’s goal is to do leading edge fundamental research to elucidate the mechanisms at work in bacterial biofilms. The CBE has been a

leader in defining the structure and function of biofilms on surfaces, in understanding the antimicrobial resistance mechanisms of biofilm, and in identifying the role of signal molecules in controlling bacterial behavior. To the naked eye, biofilms simply look like slimy gunk, but researchers at the CBE have demonstrated that they are actually multicellular attached communities, with primitive circulatory systems and a measure of cellular specialization.

Understanding these "biofilm basics" presents opportunities for developing more effective strategies to control biofilms in industrial settings. The second goal of the CBE is to make its research relevant to real systems, where the information can be useful. Industrial partnerships keep the CBE from being a traditional university "ivory tower," collecting information that has no practical application. Industrial needs shape and focus the research efforts. Technology transfer at the CBE involves not only information, but methods and technology development.