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Center for Biofilm Engineering
News Update:
June, 2007
Volume 10, Issue 5-6
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Research Highlights
Paper Spotlight
A Laboratory Hot Tub Model for Disinfectant Efficacy
Evaluation: Paper Summary
By Darla Goeres
Communal bathing has existed as a popular recreational activity
since ancient times in many cultures. The practice of public bathing
was associated with hygiene, medicinal healing, and socialization,
but it also became associated with the spread of disease and
promiscuity. In the United States the concept of communal bathing
was re-invented with the creation of portable hot tubs, also known
as home spas or whirlpool spas. In modern hot tubs, filtration and
chemical disinfectants are used to control microbial contamination
and maintain water quality. The US Environmental Protection Agency
is charged with the registration of chemical disinfectants for use
in hot tubs. Currently companies register their chemicals using
methods originally designed for swimming pools, which operate under
very different conditions. In addition, these methods do not test
the efficacy of disinfectant against biofilm bacteria, even though
biofilm forms on the surfaces of hot tubs and may serve as a
reservoir for opportunistic bacteria. This paper describes a novel
laboratory hot tub (LHT) apparatus and associated standard operating
procedure (SOP) designed to reproduce the key biological, chemical,
and engineering parameters associated with recreational and
therapeutic hot tubs. Efficacy, as measured quantitatively by log
reduction values, was determined against both biofilm and planktonic
bacteria. The method was shown to be repeatable, responsive to
changes in chlorine concentration, capable of differentiating
between two treatments with different efficacies, and rugged with
respect to slight changes in fluid mixing intensity, water chemistry
(saturation index), inoculum size, and organic loading. The LHT and
associated SOP provide a reliable second tier in a three-tiered
testing process, in which the first tier is a suspension test and
the final tier is a field test.
“A Laboratory Hot Tub Model for Disinfectant Efficacy Evaluation”
Goeres, D.M., L.R. Loetterle, and M.A. Hamilton
J. Microbiological Methods, 68:184-192 (2007)
Read the abstract
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New Industrial Associate Members
We are
pleased to announce two new Industrial Associate members companies.
Ciba Specialty Chemicals Corporation has joined as a full member.
The primary representative will be Ted Deisenroth. Ciba Specialty
Chemicals is a leading global company dedicated to producing
high-value effects for its customers’ products. Ciba creates effects
that improve the quality of life—adding performance, protection,
color and strength to plastics, paper, automobiles, buildings, home
and personal care products and much more. Ciba brings new and
creative thought to the processes and products of their customers in
more than 120 countries.
 Visit Ciba's homepage
Embro Corporation has joined the Industrial Associate's Program as
our newest Small Business member. Embro Corporation is an
environmental research and testing laboratory. The primary
representative will be Vance Fiegel.
See our Industrial
Associate member companies
Read more about membership information
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Biofilm Mechanics Workshop
We are pleased to announce an informal workshop on biofilm mechanics
June 28–30, 2007, sponsored by the Center for Biofilm Engineering at
Montana State University. The goal of this workshop is to bring
together national and international scientists from several
disciplines (engineering, biology, physics, and mathematics) to
present and compare their research viewpoints on biofilm mechanics.
Understanding biofilms as mechanical structures will open the door
to new approaches for controlling them by altering cohesive and
adhesive forces. Biofilm mechanical properties are also relevant to
biobarrier strategies and other technologies in which biofilm
formation affects fluid flow.
For more information, please contact Isaac Klapper at (klapper@math.montana.edu,
or phone (406) 994-5231).
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Upcoming Technical Advisory Conference
The summer 2007 Technical Advisory Conference (TAC) for our
Industrial Associate members and invited guests will be held in
Bozeman July 24–26, 2007 (Tuesday-Thursday). The TAC will feature
sessions on wound biofilms, biofilm behavior and control, biofilm
methods, biofilm in water venues, and fungal biofilms. Other special
presentations include regulatory issues and microscopy.
See the TAC agenda on our homepage.
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American Water Works Research Foundation Grant
Congratulations to Anne Camper, who was awarded a 50,000 grant from
a Virginia Tech subcontract of American Water Works Research
Foundation to study the “Effect of Nitrification on Corrosion in the
Distribution System.” As more drinking water utilities move toward
the use of chloramines as a secondary disinfectant, there is
increased risk of nitrification (conversion of ammonia to nitrite
and/or nitrate). Although the phenomenon is frequently observed,
there is a lack of understanding about how water quality conditions
affect nitrification and how nitrification impacts corrosion of
distribution system and household plumbing materials. This new
collaborative project builds upon research currently underway in
another collaborative project between VT and MSU, where the team is
investigating the conditions under which nitrification can take
place in simulated household plumbing systems. In the new project,
the emphasis will be on the influence of nitrification on corrosion
of common distribution system materials. MSU will be focusing on how
mixed nitrifier/heterotrophic biofilms influence water quality and
the subsequent impact on copper corrosion. In particular, changes in
alkalinity and pH as influenced by the activity of organisms grown
in differing organic carbon and ammonia concentrations will be
investigated.
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New CBE Authored Book Available
Zbigniew Lewandowski and Haluk Beyenal have just released their new
book Fundamentals of Biofilm Research. The history of natural
sciences demonstrates that major advances in the understanding of
natural processes follow the development of relevant tools. The
progress of biofilm research is no different. While individual areas
have mushroomed in recent years, difficulties in reproducing
results, communicating new findings, and reconciling differences in
conceptual versus mathematical advances are holding back the true
growth of the field.
Read more about the book
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In the Media
Coverage by the Los Angeles Times
The newspaper wrote a feature article in the Health Section about
biofilms with a full-color picture at the top to illustrate. CBE
Director Phil Stewart was interviewed for the article and quoted
throughout the article. Recognition is given to several
international researchers and collaborating companies working on
biofilm-related problems.
Biofilms—slimy layers of bacteria that antibiotics don't fully
kill—are in hospitals, kitchens, even your mouth. Scientists are on
the attack.
By Erin Cline, Special to The Times
June 11, 2007
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Attention in BioProbes
A dynamic collaboration between Diane Gray of Invitrogen │ Molecular
Probes and the CBE resulted in an article published in the BioProbes
newsletter, a monthly newsletter published by Molecular Probes, Inc.
Betsey Pitts, CBE Research Associate and Microscopy Facilities
Manager contributed the article and images were contributed by Phil
Stewart, Betsey Pitts and Ellen Swogger.
Staining bacterial biofilms: new uses for classic fluorescent dyes
Familiar probes take on a new role in biofilm staining
Contributed by Betsey Pitts
Download
BIOPROBES 53 July 2007 issue here
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Journal Cover Image
The Journal of Bacteriology used one of the CBE’s images for their
cover page in the June issue, Vol 189 Num 11. Image credits: Suriani
Abdul Rani, Betsey Pitts, Phil Stewart. Composition by: P. Dirckx.
The image shows cross sections of Staphylococcus epidermidis
biofilms.
Read more about the cover image and caption
See
online June issue
Link to associated article
Rani, S.A., B. Pitts, H. Beyenal, R.A. Veluchamy, Z. Lewandowski,
W.M. Davison, K. Buckingham-Meyer, and P.S. Stewart, "Spatial
Patterns of DNA Replication, Protein Synthesis and Oxygen
Concentration Within Bacterial Biofilms Reveal Diverse Physiological
States," J. Bacteriol., 189(11):4223-4233 (2007) Abstract 07-005
Read the abstract.
A full text pdf file is also available at this link.
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CBE Researcher Award
Garth James was awarded the CBE Researcher Award in recognition of
his expanding sponsored research activity related to medical and
dental biofilms, exceptional service to industrial project sponsors,
thoughtful mentoring of graduate and undergraduate students, and
active role in recruiting new member companies to the CBE.
See a picture of Garth receiving his award.
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New Equipment
A new critical point dryer―jointly purchased by the CBE and the
Image and Chemical Analysis Laboratory― as been set up in the ICAL
lab for the processing of biological samples for electron
microscopy. This equipment allows our researchers to remove water
from soft samples without distorting the sample.
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Latest CBE Publications
Fundamentals of Biofilm Research
Lewandowski Z. and H. Beyenal
CRC Press Inc. Lewis Publishers. Boca Raton, (2007)
"Effects of Starvation on Bacterial Transport through Porous Media"
Cunningham, A.B., R.S. Sharp, F. Caccavo Jr., and R. Gerlach
Adv. Wat. Resour., 30(6-7):1583-1592 (2007)
"Asiatic Acid and Corosolic Acid Enhance the Susceptibility of
Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilms to Tobramycin"
Garo, E., G.R. Eldridge, M.G. Goering, E. DeLancey Pulcini, M.A.
Hamilton, J.W. Costerton, and G.A. James
Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, 51(5):1813-1817 (2007)
"Isolation of Potentially Pathogenic Escherichia coli O157:H7
from the Ganges River"
Hamner, S., S.C. Broadaway, V.B. Mishra, A. Tripathi, R.K. Mishra, E.
Pulcini, B.H. Pyle, and T.E. Ford
Appl. Environ. Microbio., 73(7):2369-2372 (2007)
"Magnetic Resonance Microscopy of Biofouling Induced Scale Dependent
Transport in Porous Media"
Seymour, J.D., J.P. Gage, S.L. Codd, and R. Gerlach
Adv. Wat. Resour., 30(6-7):1408-1420 (2007)
"High-Density Targeting of a Viral Multifunctional Nanoplatform to a
Pathogenic, Biofilm-Forming Bacterium"
Suci, P.A., D.L. Berglund, L. Liepold, S. Brumfield, B. Pitts, W.
Davison, L. Oltrogge, K.O. Hoyt, S. Codd, P.S. Stewart, M. Young, and
T. Douglas
Chem. Biol., 14(4):387-398 (2007)
"Comparative Evaluation of Two Quantitative Test Methods for
Determining the Efficacy of Liquid Sporicides and Sterilants on a Hard
Surface: A Precollaborative Study"
Tomasino, S.F. and M.A. Hamilton
J AOAC International, 90(2):456-464 (2007)
"A Model of Fluid-Biofilm Interaction Using a Burger Material Law"
Towler, B.W., A. Cunningham, P. Stoodley, and L. McKittrick
Biotechnol. Bioeng., 96(2):259-271 (2007)
Read the publicaton abstracts
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New Employee
James Folsom joined CBE June 1st as a postdoctoral researcher. James
has a PhD in Food Science and Technology from the University of
Georgia, Athens. After obtaining his PhD in May 2006, he worked as a
postdoctoral associate with Dr. Joseph Frank at the University of
Georgia in the Department of Food Science and Technology. James’
training is in food microbiology and he has extensive experience with
the food-borne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes. James also brings
expertise in molecular biological techniques, particularly proteomics,
to the CBE’s Biofilm Control team.
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Education
Big Sky Institute Science and Society Fellow for 2007-2008
Congratulations to Carrie Taylor on being named a Big Sky Institute
Science and Society Fellow for 2007-2008. The award is funded by the
National Science Foundation Graduate Teaching Fellows in K12
Education (GK12) program. Carrie's application was chosen on the
basis of a strong research record and extensive experience in
communicating research to diverse groups of people. She will receive
a stipend of $30,000 for one year, July 1, 2007 through June 30,
2008. In addition, there is a $10,500 cost of education allowance
that can be used to offset tuition and fees as well as books and
supplies. Carrie is a Masters Candidate in Land Resources and
Environmental Sciences conducting research on constructed wetlands
with her mentors Otto Stein, Paul Hook and Cathy Zabinski.
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Visiting Students
Susana Sanchez will be working in the Biofilm Control Lab for the
next four months. Susana is visiting from the University of Navarra,
in Spain, where she is a PhD candidate in microbiology. She grew up
in Pamplona, the capital city of Navarra, known for the Festival of Sanfermines, which includes the famous Running of the Bulls event.
Susana would like to evaluate the ability of antimicrobial peptides,
a natural class of antimicrobial agents, to control biofilm
formation by the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
She brings expertise with the peptides and hopes to learn more about
biofilms during here stay at CBE.
Chris Groth is visiting from Manhattan College in New York where he
is pursuing a master’s degree in environmental engineering under the
supervision of Robert Sharp (who gave a CBE seminar during the
second half of April). Chris is currently setting up model porous
media reactors to continue our studies on the effect of biofilm
formation on porous media hydrodynamics. He will be working with
Robin Gerlach and Al Cunningham for the summer.
Eliora Bujari is a visiting undergraduate student in environmental
engineering from Manhattan College in New York and is joining Chris
Groth in working on a project investigating the effects of biofilm
formation on porous media hydrodynamics. Eliora and Chris will be
here until early August.
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New Students
Natasha Mallette is a new PhD student in chemical and biological
engineering who will be working on a project in the biofuels/bioproducts
area. Natasha has an MS in chemical engineering from the University
of Arkansas and worked in several industries over the past three
years.
Laura Wheeler is an MS student in chemical
and biological engineering and will be working with Robin Gerlach
and Al Cunningham on the ZERT (Zero Emission Research Technology)
project, also known as CO2 sequestration project.
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CBE People in Action
Upcoming Months: Aug–Sep
Joseph Seymour as invited speaker will present "Biopolymer and Water
Dynamics in Microbial Biofilm Extracellular Polymeric Substance,"
EUCHEM conference Structure Dynamics in Soft Condensed Matter,
Fiskebäckskil, Sweden, August 20–22, 2007.
May:
Anne Camper gave a seminar “Internal Causes of Water Quality
Degradation and Their Consequences” at the AwwaRF Distribution
System Planning Meeting, Denver, CO, May 29–31, 2007.
Mark Burr presented the poster "PCR/DGGE Using ‘Universal’ 16S rDNA
rpimers Has Limited Resolution for Soil Bacterial Community
Analysis" at the American Society of Microbiology General
Conference, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, May 25, 2007. Co-authors are
M.D. Burr, J.L. Faulwetter, A. Camara, A. Nocker, S.J. Clark, and
A.K. Camper.
Anne Camper presented the poster “Optimizing Flow Cytometry to
Detect Viable but Non-Culturable, Viable-Culturable, and
Membrane-Damaged Bacteria” at the American Society of Microbiology
General Conference, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, May 25, 2007.
Co-authors are M.M.T. Khan, M.D. Burr, and A.K. Camper.
Jennifer Faulwetter presented the poster "Constructed Wetland
Rhizosphere Microbial Community Analysis Using Group-Specific
Primers and Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis" at the American
Society of Microbiology General Conference, Toronto, Ontario,
Canada, May 24, 2007.
Chiachi Hwang presented the poster “Changes in Bacterial Community
Structure During Stimulation for Uranium Bioremediation” at the
American Society of Microbiology General Conference, Toronto,
Ontario, Canada, May 23, 2007.
Taimur Khan presented the poster "Optimizing Flow Cytometry
to Detect Viable but Non-Culturable, Viable-Culturable and
Membrane-Damaged Bacteria" at the American Society of Microbiology
General Conference, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, May 25, 2007.
Co-authors are M.M.T. Khan, M.D. Burr, and A.K. Camper.
Melinda presented the poster “Structural Role for Flagella in
Biofilm Formation and Stability in Desulfovibrio vulgaris
Hildenborough,” at the American Society of Microbiology General
Conference, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, May 25, 2007.
Anitha Sundararajan presented the poster “Two PAS Domain Protein
Mutants Suggest that Both Oxygen Sensing and Metabolism are
Important for Biofilm Formation in Shewanella oneidensis
MR-1” at the American Society of Microbiology General Conference,
Toronto, Ontario, Canada, May 25, 2007.
Phil Stewart as an invited speaker presented “Survival Strategies of
Pathogens in Biofilms and Their Control” at the symposium on
Biofilms in Medicine and the Environment, University of Ottawa,
Ontario, Canada, May 17–19, 2007.
Taimur Khan presented "Influence of EPS and NOM on the Biofouling of
Microfiltration (MF) Membrane Coupled with a High-Dose of PAC During
the Treatment of Surface Water" at the North American Membrane
Society Conference, Orlando, FL, May 15, 2007. Co-authors are M.M.T.
Khan, S. Ohgaki, S. Takizawa, and A.K. Camper.
Al Cunningham presented “The Significance of Biofilms in
Biotechnology” at the 2007 BioPerspectives Conference, Cologne,
Germany, May 17–June 1.
Anne Camper presented “Biogrowth Control in Drinking Water Systems”
at University of California– Los Angeles, CA, May 14, 2007.
Mohammad Rahman presented “Influence of Chlorine Residual and
Alkalinity on Copper Corrosion and Biofilm Communities in Domestic
Plumbing Systems" at the MSAWWA/MWEA Annual Conference, Butte, MT,
May 9–11, 2007.
April:
Garth James presented "Microscopic and Molecular Analyses of Chronic
Wound Biofilms" at the 20th Annual Symposium on Advanced Wound Care
and Wound Healing Society Meeting, Tampa, FL, April 28–May 1, 2007.
Martin Desrosiers presented “Methods for Removing Bacterial
Biofilms: In Vitro Study Using Clinical Chronic Rhinosinusitis
Specimens” and was awarded first prize for Basic Science at the
Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meeting, San Diego, CA, April 26–29,
2007.
Garth James presented "Biofilm: A New Concept in Chronic Wound
Pathophysiology" at Sharp Healthcare's Fifth Annual Symposium on
Wound Management, San Diego, CA, April 13, 2007.
Sara E. Nelson, M.M. Taimur Khan, and Anne Camper presented
"Immobilized Chitosan-Coated Beads for Biogrowth Control and Water
Purification" at the Undergraduate Scholars Conference, Bozeman, MT,
April 10, 2007.
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Upcoming CBE Workshops
Biofilm Methods Workshop – Technical Advisory Conference
July 23, 2007
This workshop is for CBE’s Industrial Associate members on a first-come, first-serve basis. If there is space available for more
participants, other conference attendees will be invited to join the
workshop.
Read more about CBE workshops
“Biofilms Summer School,” organized by the CBE's Biofilm
Structure-Function Research Group, is composed of three workshops.
See the details of each workshop at the link below.
July 23 – August 3, 2007
Read details
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Web Watch
BiofilmsOnline.com
Visit
www.BiofilmsOnline.com
for more biofilm news and information.
Subscribe to the monthly newsletter.
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__________________________________________
Diane Williams
(editor) of the CBE News Update.
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