Center for Biofilm Engineering

News Update: 

March, 2006

Volume 9, Issue 3

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Research Highlights

Conference in Review

Read more about the February Technical Advisory Conference at:
http://www.erc.montana.edu/Res-Lib99-SW/newsarchives/HTML/2006/TACW_2006.htm

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Biofilm Methods Workshop

This workshop was unlike any prior workshop the CBE has organized because it was an experiment for everyone...CBE staff included. Thanks to the donations of Molecular Probes™ – Invitrogen, we had 11 fluorescent stains to use on biofilm with really exciting results.

Read more about the workshop at:
http://www.erc.montana.edu/Res-Lib99-SW/newsarchives/HTML/2006/TACW_Workshop2006.htm

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New Equipment
 

The Medical Biofilms Lab recently acquired a sonicator (Misonix 3000) made specifically for sonicating 96 well microtiter plates, courtesy of the Church & Dwight Co., Inc.  Thank you!

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Microbial Corrosion in Copper Pipes
 

“Montana's Student Water Research Fellows and the Answers They Seek”
Montana Water News, January 31, 2006
Published by the Montana Water Center, http://water.montana.edu/default.asp

Mohammed Rahman, a Montana State University Civil Engineering graduate student mentored by Dr. Anne Camper, is studying corrosion of copper in water distribution systems. His research is funded through a collaborative MUSES* grant with the Center for Biofilm Engineering and Virginia Tech. In his study "Towards sustainable materials for drinking water infrastructure," he is looking at microbial contributions to corrosion in copper pipes, which are used in 90% of household plumbing systems. The other team at Virginia Tech is investigating the chemical aspect of the corrosion. After the completion of the project we will have a better understanding of the chemistry and microbiology of corrosion. Test results show that copper corrosion increases with increasing alkalinity and it may decrease in the presence of disinfectant. Water quality such as color and turbidity are also affected by the presence of disinfectant. Rahman also found that the biofilm community changes with disinfection and copper concentrations. In a second set of experiments, he examined nitrification in copper plumbing. His team found that after three months of operation nitrification did not occur, due possibly to toxicity of copper and its effect on nitrification. A final set of experiments is now being conducted to study nitrification in PVC reactors.

*Materials Use: Science, Engineering, and Society (MUSES)

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A Model Image Hits the Cover 
 

This month’s cover of Applied and Environmental Microbiology showcases a modeling image generated by Jason Chambless, a PhD candidate in chemical engineering, Montana State University. The cover story leads to an article by CBE authors. See reference and model movie below.

“A Three-Dimensional Computer Model of Four Hypothetical Mechanisms Protecting Biofilms from Antimicrobials”
Jason D. Chambless, Stephen M. Hunt, and Philip S. Stewart
Applied and Environmental Engineering, 72(3):2005-2013

See the cover image and description at:
http://www.erc.montana.edu/Res-Lib99-SW/newsarchives/HTML/2006/AEM_Cover.htm

View the 3D computer model movie at: http://www.erc.montana.edu/Res-Lib99-SW/Movies/2005/05-M005.htm

Read the full text (pdf) at: http://www.erc.montana.edu/Res-Lib99-SW/newsarchives/HTML/2006/06-009.pdf

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In the Media 

Dr. Zbigniew Lewandowski, Center for Biofilm Engineering/Dept. Civil Engineering at Montana State University was quoted in the article "Microbial Moxie: Bacteria-based fuel cells provide power" and is listed as a source.

“Microbial Moxie; Bacteria-Based Fuel Cells Provide Power”
By Aimee Cunningham
Science News February 4, 2006, Vol 169(5):72-73

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Recent CBE Publications

“Bacterial Biofilm Inhibitors from Diospyros dendo”
Hu, J.-F., E. Garo, M.G. Goering, M. Pasmore, H.-D. Yoo, T. Esser, J. Sestrich, P.A. Cremin, G.W. Hough, P. Perrone, Y.-S.L. Lee, N.T. Le, M. O'Neil-Johnson, J.W. Costerton and G.R. Eldridge,
J. Nat. Prod., 69(1):118-120 (2006)

"Procedure for Determining Maximum Sustainable Power Generated by Microbial Fuel Cells"
Menicucci, J., H. Beyenal, E. Marsili, R. Angathevar Veluchamy, G. Demir and Z. Lewandowski
Environ. Sci. Technol., 40(3):1062-1068 (2006)

"A Three-Dimensional Computer Model of Four Hypothetical Mechanisms Protecting Biofilms from Antimicrobials"
Chambless, J.D., S.M. Hunt and P.S. Stewart
Appl. Environ. Microbiol., 72(3):2005-2013 (2006)

"Selective Removal of DNA from Dead Cells of Mixed Bacterial Communities by Use of Ethidium Monoazide"
Nocker, A. and A.K. Camper
Appl. Environ. Microbiol., 72(3):1997-2004 (2006)

"Magnetic Resonance Microscopy of Biofilm and Bioreactor Transport"
Codd, S.L., J.D. Seymour, E.L. Gjersing, J.P. Gage and J.R. Brown,
In: Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Chemical Engineering, S. Stapf and S. Han (eds.), Wiley-VCH, Weinheim, Germany (2005)

"Susceptibility of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilm to UV-A Illumination Over Photocatalytic and Non-Photocatalytic Surfaces"
Gage, J.P., T.M. Roberts and J.E. Duffy
Biofilms, 2:1-9 (2005)

"A Microbiological and Confocal Microscopy Study Documenting a Slime-Producing Staphylococcus epidermidis Isolated from a Nylon Corneal Suture of a Patient with Antibiotic-Resistant Endophthalmitis"
Nucci, C., M. Artini, M. Pasmore, F. Missiroli, J.W. Costerton, and L. Selan
Graefe's Arch. Clin. Exp. Ophthalmol., 243:951-954 (2005)

"Removal of Oral Biofilm by Sonic Phenomena"
Pitt, W.G.
Am. J. Dent., 18(5):345-352 (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

2006 Characklis Award

Willy Davison, Ph.D. candidate in chemical and biological engineering is the recipient of the 2006 Characklis Award. The award was presented to him during the CBE’s winter Technical Advisory Conference.

Read the story about the attributes that clinched Willy’s nomination for this year’s award, at:
http://www.erc.montana.edu/CBEssentials-SW/education/CharacklisAward/ed-basics-wgc_2006.htm

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Capitol Hill Poster Event

David Steppler, undergraduate in biochemistry, will present his research in the “Undergraduate Research Posters on the Hill" event during a late afternoon reception on April 25th. His poster, “Influence of co-contaminants and natural organic matter on the reduction of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene, chromium (VI), and carbon tetrachloride by zero-valent iron,” is one of sixty competitively selected from students around the country to be displayed on Capitol Hill at the U.S. Capitol. David and his faculty mentor, Robin Gerlach, will have an opportunity to visit with Representatives and Senators on the morning of the same day.

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CBE People in Action

Jason Chambless will present "A 3D Computer Model Analysis of Four Hypothetical Biofilm
Detachment Mechanisms," Biofilms II Attachment and Detachment Conference, Leipzig, Germany, March 23-24, 2006.

Phil Stewart, as invited speaker, presented "Biofilm and Hemodialysis," Hemodialysis: The Environmental Challenges, San Francisco, CA, February 25-26, 2006. This conference was jointly sponsored by the International Society for Hemodialysis, Northwest Kidney Centers (Seattle, WA), Kidney Dialysis Foundation (Singapore), and Medical Education Institute, Inc. (Madison, WI).

Al Cunningham presented "Microbially Enhanced Geologic Sequestration of Supercritical CO2,” University of Stuttgart, Germany, February 17-24, 2006.

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Biofilm Education Resources

Upcoming CBE Workshops

“Biofilm Methods Workshop,” organized by the CBE at Montana State University, June 19,  2006.

The summer TAC workshop will offer a series of advanced topics and lectures. Demonstrations and discussions will include: Using FISH probes in biofilm research; Community analysis of wound biofilms using DGGE; Pathogen detection in drinking water systems using molecular techniques; Biofilm analysis using high throughput 96-well screening. If you are interested in attending the workshop, contact Linda Loetterle, 406-994-7761) as soon as possible. Workshop attendance is limited. CBE Industrial Associates may attend at no cost and visitors pay a $400.00 fee. Continental breakfast, lunch, coffee breaks and workshop notebooks are provided.

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

New content is being published on this website as “Biofilm Perspectives” —brief articles, written by prominent scientists and industry practitioners from around the world, that identify current trends, concepts and hypotheses in the biofilm field. “Biofilm Perspectives” will appear six times per year. Topics will include biofilm research, applications to real-world problems and regulatory issues. The first article in this series is authored by the CBE's Director, Dr. Phil Stewart.

See the BiofilmsOnline.com March 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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