Center for Biofilm Engineering

News Update: 

April, 2004

Volume 7, Issue 3-4

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Research Highlights

Bacterial biofilms: A diagnostic and therapeutic challenge

by Christoph Fux, M.D.

The role of biofilm formation in the pathogenesis of chronic and medical device-related infections is increasingly recognized. The biofilm-mode of growth provides tolerance to both host immune defenses and current antimicrobial strategies. This review discusses the current clinical strategies for biofilm prevention, diagnosis and therapy. The shortcomings of current therapies against biofilms are illustrated both in theory and with clinical examples. The authors review biofilm characteristics with a focus on new diagnostic and therapeutic targets. In particular, the role of quorum sensing and biofilm-specific gene expression is discussed.
 

Reference:

Bacterial biofilms: a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge
Christoph A. Fux, Paul Stoodley, Luanne Hall-Stoodley, J. William Costerton
Expert Rev. Anti-infect. Ther. 1(4) 2003:89-105
 

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Grant Award

Phil Stewart received a new grant (SBIR subcontract) from Lynntech to investigate proprietary technology for treating biofilms in dental unit water lines. The award amount is $76,029.

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Best Paper Award

Dr. Anne Camper was a co-author of a paper selected as the 2003 American Water Works Association Distribution and Plant Operations Division best paper in the Journal of the American Water Works Association. The paper citation is:

Besner, M.-C., V. Gauthier, P. Servais and A. Camper. 2002. Coliforms in distribution systems: How do we explain their occurrence? J. Amer. Water Works Assoc. 94(8):95-109.
 

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Farewell Announcement

Melissa Cahoon, CBE Education Coordinator has accepted an accountant position with the Office of International Programs, at Montana State University. In her new position, she will be at the hub for international activity at the university. Melissa has worked at the Center since 1995, so her experience with the Center’s student programs will be missed. We wish her the best!

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New Project and Laboratory Management

After 3.5 years as Manager of Medical Projects and Manager of the Biofilm Behavior Laboratory (BBL), Mark Pasmore has taken a research position with Steris in Ohio, and we wish him the best in his new endeavors there.

We would like to introduce and welcome both Dr. Garth James and Dr. Randy Hiebert as a combined team to manage the BBL. Garth, as Research Scientist, will be responsible for scientific direction and overview for the BBL. Randy, as Research Engineer, will act as project manager and be responsible for budgeting, reporting and contact with sponsors.

Garth received his PhD in 1996 at the University of Calgary, and then worked as a Research Associate here in the Center for two years.  Since then his career led him to eight years with MSE – Technology Applications in Butte, Montana.  Randy received his BS and MS in chemical engineering from Montana State University, and he is a Professional Engineer with 22 years of experience working for MSE Technology Applications in Butte and several other companies.
 

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New Faculty Member

Dr. Rockford (Rocky) Ross, Professor of Computer Science, recently accepted an offer to become a CBE faculty member. For many years, Rocky has assisted the Center’s efforts to provide outreach and education via electronic communication technologies. It has become clear that Rocky’s experience and interests have much in common with CBE goals, and he is now a formal collaborator on CBE projects. Rocky brings to the CBE a significant new capability to guide research, plan for the future, and solve problems in the information technology and quantitative science areas. In addition, Rocky has agreed to serve as the CBE Information Technology Coordinator beginning this summer.

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Biofilm Director Search

The Center for Biofilm Engineering (CBE) pursues a tripartite mission of education, research and technology transfer related to all aspects of microbial biofilms. The CBE is an educational clearinghouse for biofilms science and technology and serves as a primary source of biofilms information. CBE education programs serve undergraduates, graduate students, and industrial  and academic visitors. Research addresses diverse application areas including bioremediation, biocorrosion, biofouling, drinking and industrial water treatment and distribution, biofilm control, and public health issues including dentistry and infectious disease. Fundamental issues vary from genetics and physiology to mass transport and mechanical properties. The CBE receives substantial research support from national funding agencies and industries. There is a substantial amount of outreach and technical service to members of the Center's Industrial Associate program. See full position description at: http://www.erc.montana.edu
 

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Visitor

Dr. Wolfgang Uhl is visiting the Center from the University of Duisberg-Essen in Germany. He is working for one month with Dr. Anne Camper’s research group on modeling the fate and transport of pathogenic bacteria in drinking water distribution systems, with an emphasis on the involvement of biofilms in the process.

 

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CBE PEOPLE IN ACTION

Bill Costerton as invited speaker presented "Biofilms for Cleaner Industrial Processes," at the Global Biotechnology Forum in Concepcion, Chile, March 2-5, 2004.

Phil Stewart as invited speaker presented “Antibiotic Tolerance in Biofilms and its Role in Persistent Infections” at the International Congress of Infectious Disease, Cancun, Mexico, March 7, 2004.

Anne Camper presented “Biofilms in Clean Water Systems,” at Procter and Gamble, March 12, 2004.

Bill Costerton as invited speaker presented "The Biofilm Concept," at the symposium "Man, Materials and Microbes in Orthopaedics." This is an international symposium on infection in orthopaedic surgery, organized on the occasion of the retirement of Professor Jim R. van Horn. Groningen, The Netherlands, March 29, 2004.

Bill Costerton as keynote speaker presented "Prevention of Microbial Adhesion," at the 1st European Conference on: Biofilm – Prevention of Microbial Adhesion, Osnabrück, Germany, March 31- April 2, 2004.
 

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Upcoming CBE Workshops

Biofilm structure quantification and image analysis
July 22–23, 2004
http://www.erc.montana.edu/CBEssentials-SW/research/workshops/default.htm

Microsensors: Manufacture and applications
August 9–13, 2004
http://www.erc.montana.edu/CBEssentials-SW/research/workshops/detailsmicro.htm
 

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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

New Images

The Image Library has been updated in the areas of Biofilm Control, Medical-Health, Structure-Function, Biobarriers-Bioremediation. See the Image Library.

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

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