Center for Biofilm Engineering

News Update: 

October, 2009

Volume 12, Issue 4

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Industry Highlights

Young Investigator Invitation

The CBE is launching a new program to encourage the participation of outstanding non-MSU biofilm investigators in our semi-annual Montana Biofilm S&T Meetings. Targeting postdoctoral researchers and newly hired faculty, up to two investigators will be invited to present research at each MBM, and provided a $750 travel stipend and free attendance at the meeting.

Read more about the details at: http://www.biofilm.montana.edu/CBEssentials-SW/Invitation_Young_Investigators.htm

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Research Highlights

NSF Grant Awards

Early Career

Abigail Richards was awarded a two-year $175,000 BRIGE grant. The grant, “Study self-assembling siderophore vesicles,” began September 1, 2009 and ends August 31, 2011. The work proposed will lay the foundation for future investigations by the PI in biocide delivery applications and investigations of vesicle stability under shear stress in flow conditions. The NSF BRIGE grants are intended to initiate research programs for early career tenure track faculty members as well as broaden the participation of underrepresented groups in science and engineering.


Modeling biomineralization

Isaac Klapper received an NSF grant for $750,000, titled “CMG Research: Impact of mineral precipitating biofilms on the physical and chemical characteristics of porous media,” for the period of September 1, 2009 through August 31, 2013. Co-Principal Investigators on the project are Alfred Cunningham, Robin Gerlach, Andrew Mitchell, and Tianyu Zhang. The proposed work will develop laboratory, modeling and computational tools to study the geological impact of mineral precipitating microbial communities. The aim is to provide quantitative descriptions of the hydrobiogeochemical conditions and processes in carbonate mineral precipitating biofilms in porous media. Additionally, engineered, microbially mediated carbonate precipitation has been proposed as a strategy to improve geologic carbon sequestration and to facilitate the precipitation of heavy metals and radionuclides from contaminated groundwater. The investigators will develop laboratory and computational tools to better understand the role and utilize the potential in the environment of microbial communities in all of these processes.

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MSU Lab Hosted the 10th International Conference on Magnetic Resonance Microscopy

The MSU College of Engineering Magnetic Resonance Laboratory hosted the 10th International Conference on Magnetic Resonance Microscopy in West Yellowstone, Sunday, Aug. 30, through Thursday, Sept. 4. The ICMRM is the biennial meeting of the Spatially Resolved Magnetic Resonance Division of the AMPERE Society. The conference drew approximately 170 scientists and engineers from 15 countries interested in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) applications and developments primarily to engineering systems. Twelve faculty and students from MSU attended.

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Latest CBE Publications

“A biofilm growth protocol and the design of a magnetic field exposure setup to be used in the study of magnetic fields as a means of controlling bacterial biofilms”
McLeod BR, Sandvik EL
Bioelectromagnetics. 2009 Jul 23. [Epub ahead of print]

“Efficacy of polyhexamethylene biguanide-containing antimicrobial foam dressing against MRSA relative to standard foam dressing”
Kirker KR, Fisher ST, James GA, McGhee DM, Shah CB
Wounds 2009; 21(9):229-233
Read abstract

"Improving the AOAC use-dilution method by establishing a minimum log density value for test microbes on inoculated carriers"
Tomasino SF, Pines RM, Hamilton MA
J AOAC International 2009; 92(5):1531-1540
Read abstract

“Loss of viability and induction of apoptosis in human keratinocytes exposed to Staphylococcus aureus biofilms in vitro”
Kirker KR, Secor PR, James GA, Fleckman P, Olerud JE, Stewart PS
Wound Repair Regen 2009;17(5):690-699
Read abstract 

View all of the CBE’s 2009 publications: http://www.erc.montana.edu/Res-Lib99-SW/pubs/Database/PD_DisplayScript.asp

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Farewell

In August, Tricia Cook, Fiscal Manager of the CBE for the past 14 years, accepted a new position in MSU’s Vice President for Research office. She will provide fiscal support to the Office of Sponsored Programs as well as the Technology Transfer Office. Tricia was invaluable as a resource for CBE employees from assisting faculty and staff with grant budgets and submissions, advising on the complexities of health care choices, ensuring employee equity, to helping new CBE students navigate the world of fee waivers and financial aid. We will miss her at the CBE but wish her the best in this new opportunity for her career.

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New Employee

In September we welcomed Adrenna Bergstrand to the administrative staff as CBE Business Manager. Adrenna comes to the CBE highly recommended and qualified, with a degree in finance, experience running a private business with several employees, and a prior position at Montana State University as Internal Auditor. We are extremely pleased to have found someone with her strong credentials and positive attitude to fill this key position.

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Education

2nd Place in Oral Presentation Competition

Carrie Taylor, MS candidate in Land Resources and Environmental Science at Montana State University, won 2nd Place in the student oral presentation competition at the Joint Conference of the 26th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Mining and Reclamation and the 11th Billings Land Reclamation Symposium held in June 2009. She received a check for $250. Her presentation was titled “Native plant material selection for water treatment wetlands." Co-authors were Paul Hook, Cathy Zabinski, and Otto Stein.

CBE faculty and staff mentors on her project were Otto Stein, Mark Burr, and John Neuman.

See Carrie’s picture at: http://www.biofilm.montana.edu/Res-Lib99-SW/newsarchives/HTML/2009/Taylor_2nd_place.htm

Carrie's thesis title: "Selecting plant species to optimize wastewater treatment."
Read abstract

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Thesis Alert

“The effect of treatments on the mechanical properties of staphylococcus epidermidis biofilms under fluid shear and mechanical indentation,” Thesis Defense by Eric Brindle, MS Candidate in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Montana State University, September 2009.
Read abstract

“Molecular aspects of uranium toxicity: Speciation and physiological targeting,” Dissertation Defense by Michael VanEngelen, Ph.D. candidate in Chemical and Biological Engineering, Montana State University, August 2009.
Read abstract

View thesis abstracts

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Outreach

Research Visitors

Paul Andersen, a teacher of Advanced Placement Biology at Bozeman High School, MT, completed his second summer of research in partnership with CBE's Dr. Elinor deLancey Pulcini. Their research is supported through the Partner’s in Science Program funded by the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust. Paul’s study was to examine differences in biofilm formation capabilities between methicillin sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSE) and methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Using the MBEC system, he found that the MRSA isolates he tested produced more biofilm than the MSSE isolates. Read more about the CBE's Partners in Science award.

Emma Mean, visiting pre-med undergraduate student from the University of Notre Dame, spent the summer at the CBE to be involved in biofilm research. Under the mentorship of Christine Foremen, she grew Escherichia coli K-12 wild type and mutants in a CDC biofilm reactor at 4^oC to examine their response to growth at cold temperatures. Emma learned how to grow biofilms, perform plate counts, stain, cryo-section and image them. She gained an appreciation of the role of biofilms in daily life, and takes this information back to Notre Dame with her as she continues her education.

Other Visitors

David Kem from Conoco, Houston, Texas visited the Center to tour the labs, and receive an update on the Center’s activities and programs, October 8, 2009.

Rubens Coelho, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil, visited and toured the Center, July 2, 2009.
 

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CBE People in Action

Phil Stewart will visit BASF, Boston, MA, and present “Update on biofilm methods,” Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, October 27, 2009.

Paul Sturman presented, “Current perspectives in biofilm growth,” Parenteral Drug Association Global Conference on Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Bethesda, MD, October 6, 2009.

Phil Stewart presented, “Physiology of microbial biofilm,” University of Notre Dame, South Bend, IN, September 29-30, 2009.

Otto Stein presented at the Third International Conference on Wetland Systems for Water Pollution Control (WETPOL), Barcelona, Spain, September 20-24, 2009:

Keynote presentation: “Patterns of rootzone oxidation in treatment wetland microcosms across diverse plant species.” Co-authors: Hook, PB, Taylor CR, Stein OR, Zabinski CA

“Identification of microbial functional groups within a sub-surface treatment wetland as influenced by plant species selection and season.” Co-authors: Faulwetter JL, Burr MD, Camper AK, Stein OR

Bruce McLeod as invited speaker presented, “A review of biofilms, and new approaches for clearing biofilm infections," Special Presentation for the Pre-med, Biology, Chemistry, Nursing, Physical Therapy and Honors College, faculty and students, West Chester University, West Chester, PA, September 23, 2009.

Zbigniew Lewandowski presented, “Energy harvest with microbial fuel cell and power management system,” Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Energy Conversion Congress, San Jose, California, September 20 – 24, 2009. Co-authors: Meehan A, Gao HW

Crystal Richards presented poster, “Pathogen detection in source and drinking water: A community based approach to exposure assessment on the Crow Reservation,” STAR/GRO EPA Fellows Conference, Washington, DC, September 20-23, 2009.

Zbigniew Lewandowski gave the plenary presentation, “From microbial corrosion to microbial fuel cells,” IWA Biofilm Conference, Davis, CA, September 14, 2009.

Haluk Beyenal presented, “Reconstructing biofilm structure from calculated parameters,” IWA Biofilm Conference, Davis, CA, September 15, 2009. Co-authors: Renslow R, Lewandowski Z

Isaac Klapper presented “Physical-chemical based modeling of biofilm induced mineralization,” IWA Biofilm Conference, Davis, CA, September 14, 2009. Co-author: Zhang T

The following presentations were made to GOJO Industries, Inc., Akron, OH, September 14, 2009.
   Matthew Fields presented “Physiology and ecology of environmental biofilms.”
   Darla Goeres presented “Biofilm: Dynamic cooperative communities of bacteria and CBE
   researchers.”
   Lindsey Lorenz presented “Contaminated bulk soap dispensers: Comparison of two methods
   of analysis and washing study methods and results.”
   Brad Ramsay presented “Analysis of microbial communities: Knock, knock. who’s there?”

Marty Hamilton presented an overview of proposed guidelines for the “Statistical analysis of collaborative studies to evaluate attributes of disinfectant test methods,” AOAC International Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, PA, September 12-15, 2009. The creation of the proposed guidelines was supported by the EPA under a contract with the Standardized Biofilm Methods Laboratory.

Phil Stewart visited Bausch & Lomb and presented, “Biofilm infections and issues in biofilm control,” Rochester, NY, September 9-12, 2009.

Phil Stewart as invited speaker presented, "Physiological heterogeneity of bacteria in biofilms," Eurobiofilms 2009 Meeting, Rome, Italy, September 1-6, 2009.

Crystal Richards presented poster, “Detection of opportunistic pathogens and associated biofilms in rural Montana," Eurobiofilms 2009 Meeting, Rome, Italy, September 2-5, 2009.

Zbigniew Lewandowski presented, “Microbial fuel cells to power submersed electronic devices,” ACS National Meeting & Exposition, Washington, DC, August 16-20, 2009.

Logan Schultz presented, “Imaging biomineralization in flow systems,” Microscopy and Microanalysis Conference, Richmond, VA, July 25-31, 2009.

Al Cunningham presented, “Environmental responses to carbon mitigation through geological storage,” DOE EPSCor Annual Meeting, Brookhaven National Lab, Long Island, NY, July 20-23, 2009.

Bruce McLeod as invited speaker presented “Engineering new approaches to clearing biofilm infections," BioEM 2009, Davos, Switzerland, June 15-19, 2009.

Lisa Kirk presented “Geomicrobiological control of selenium solubility in subsurface phosphate overburden deposits,” Goldschmidt Geochemistry Conference, Davos, Switzerland, June 21-26. 2009. In Goldschmidt Abstracts – K, Abstract A661, Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, Vol.73, No.13, Supplement June, 2009. Co-authors: Childers SE, Peyton B, McDermott T, Gerlach R, Johnson TM.
 

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