Center for Biofilm Engineering

News Update: 

November, 2005

Volume 8, Issue 11

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Research Highlights

Paper Spotlight

by Peg Dirckx

Pseudomonas biofilms use signals to coordinate a cell dispersal mechanism

Previous studies have identified two passive, shear-dependent biofilm detachment mechanisms—erosion and sloughing. Now there is also evidence that some biofilms use cell-cell signaling to coordinate colony formation and cell dispersal. When non-mucoid Pseudomonas aeruginosa microcolonies reached a diameter of approximately 80 microns, two distinct genetically regulated cell types emerged: motile ‘swarming’ cells in the colony interiors and non-motile colony walls surrounding them. After differentiation, the motile cells evacuated the microcolonies from local break-out points, suggesting the term ‘seeding dispersal’ in reference to the similarity of this phenomenon to the seeding mechanisms of other known fruiting bodies. The microcolony size dependency of this activity indicated that cell density and mass transfer conditions were important in producing the dispersal. Clarifying the role of quorum sensing and relevant signal production will suggest ways to control biofilm growth and distribution. Further discussion on the potential role of seeding dispersal in the pathogenesis of mucoid (slimey) clinical P. aeruginosa strains, which are commonly isolated from infected lungs, can be found in the November issue of Microbiology 151: 3452-3454.

“Phenotypic Differentiation and Seeding Dispersal in Non-Mucoid and Mucoid Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilms”
B. Purevdorj-Gage, W.J. Costerton, P. Stoodley
Microbiology 151:1569-1576 (2005)
 

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Ferguson Professor of Microbiology

Michael Franklin was recently named Ferguson Professor of Microbiology at Montana State University. His work in molecular genetics has been internationally recognized. Congratulations Mike! See the complete story at: http://www.erc.montana.edu/Res-Lib99-SW/newsarchives/HTML/2005/Franklin_MSUNews.htm

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Visitors

Dr. Shoji Takenaka, a dental researcher and dentist, is visiting the Center from Niigata University in Japan. Dr. Takenaka specializes in endodontics, particularly root canal infection. Dr Takenaka will be at the Center for the next year, doing research in Phil Stewart's Biofilm Control lab, where he is using a consortium of oral bacteria to study diffusion and antimicrobial efficacy. In the next year, Dr Takenaka hopes to learn new methods, new ways of thinking, and to gain insight into how to effectively remove biofilm attached to root surfaces of the tooth. Dr. Takenaka is here with his wife and three children, who he says are already enjoying Montana life very much. Dr Takenaka has no comment yet on Montana sushi !!

Dr. Jeyong Yoon, a visiting professor and Jaeeun Kim, a visiting Ph.D candidate from Seoul National University will be working with Anne Camper for five months. They are interested in controlling biofilms in distribution systems with various disinfectants and would like to learn new methods and concepts from biofilm fields here.
 

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Recent CBE Publications

"Polar Organic Solvent Removal in a Model Constructed Wetlands"
Kowles, J.L. and O.R. Stein
Water Res., 39(16):4040-4050 (2005)

"Plant Species and Temperature Effects on the k-C* First Order Model for Chemical Oxygen Demand Removal in Batch Loaded SSF Wetlands"
Stein, O.R., J.A. Biederman, P.B. Hook and W.C. Allen
Ecol. Eng., 39(16):4040-4050 (2005)

“Bacterially Derived Wood Adhesive"
Haag, A.P., G.G. Geesey and M.W. Mittelman
Int. J. Adhes. Adhes., 26(3):177-183 (2005)

"Impact of Ferrihydrite and Anthraquinone-2,6-Disulfonate on the Reductive Transformation of 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene by a Gram-Positive Fermenting Bacterium"
Borch, T., W.P. Inskeep, J.A. Harwood and R. Gerlach
Environ. Sci. Technol., 39(18):7126-2133 (2005)

"Calcium-Induced Virulence Factors Associated with the Extracellular Matrix of Mucoid Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilms"
Sarkisova, S., M.A. Patrauchan, D. Berglund, D.E. Nivens, and M.J. Franklin
J. Bacteriol., 187(13):4327-4337 (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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Outreach

Leadership Bozeman, a program of the Bozeman Area Chamber of Commerce for business owners and entrepreneurs, came to the MSU campus to learn more about the university’s research programs, the nature of the student body and the economic impacts on Bozeman. The Center was a part of their campus tour and Phil Stewart, John Neuman, and Tricia Cook toured groups through the Center’s laboratories describing the CBE’s research impact to approximately 35 community leaders on October 26th, 2005.

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CBE People in Action

Michael Franklin, the newly named Ferguson Professor of Microbiology at Montana State University, gave his inaugural lecture, "Teaching and Research on DNA to Biofilms," Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, October 28, 2005.

Darla Goeres and Garth James were invited to a special retreat at Santa Catalina Island following the Biofilm Conference, USC School of Dentistry, Los Angeles, CA, October 27 – 28, 2005.  They were invited to the retreat as potential contributors to a book on Biofilm Methods for a Springer Publications series of books on biofilms. Bill Costerton and Paul Stoodley have been commissioned to design and edit the book.

Phil Stewart presented "Heterogeneity of Biofilm Populations as Seen in Situ and by Cell Sorting," Biofilm Conference, USC School of Dentistry, Los Angeles, CA, October 24 – 26, 2005.

Linda Loetterle presented two posters, “Biofilm Growth Reactors” and “Analysis of Laboratory Biofilm from Three Growth Reactors: Effects of Shear,” Biofilm Conference, USC School of Dentistry, Los Angeles, CA, October 24 – 26, 2005.

Darla Goeres, Linda Loetterle and Benjamin Klayman presented a workshop “Cultivation of Bacterial Biofilms in vitro,” Biofilm Conference, USC School of Dentistry, Los Angeles, CA, October 24 – 26, 2005.

Darla Goeres presented "Standardized Biofilm Methods Development" at Ecolab in St. Paul, MN on October 19, 2005.

Darla Goeres attended the ASTM E35.15 subcommittee meeting in Dallas, TX on October 17 – 18, 2005. The subcommittee will vote on the biofilm method titled "Standard Test Method for the Quantification of a Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilm Grown with High Shear and Continuous Flow Using a CDC Biofilm Reactor" on the December ballot.

Zbigniew Lewandowski presented “Utility of Microbial Fuel Cells,” Meeting of the American Chemical Society. Washington DC, August 28 – September 1, 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 November 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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