Montana State University
Basic microbiology techniques
The characterization of CaCo3 in a geothermal environment: A SEM/TEM-EELS study

Mineralization of microbial biomass is a common phenomenon in geothermal habitats, but knowledge of the structure of the minerals formed in these environments is limited. A combination of spectroscopic, microscopic, and stable isotopic methods, as well as the chemical analysis of spring water, were employed in the present study to characterize calcium carbonate minerals deposited in filamentous cyanobacterial mats in different locations of La Duke hot spring, a circumneutral thermal feature near the north entrance of Yellowstone National Park, Montana, USA.
Identification and imaging of peptides and proteins on Enterococcus faecalis biofilms by matrix assisted laser desportion ionization mass spectrometry

The heptapeptide ARHPHPH was identified from biofilms and planktonic cultures of two different strains of Enterococcus faecalis, V583 and ATCC 29212, using matrix assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS). ARHPHPH was also imaged at the boundary of cocultured, adjacent E. faecalis and Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922) biofilms, appearing only on the E. faecalis side. ARHPHPH was proteolyzed from κ-casein, a component in the growth media, by E. faecalis microbes.
Iron induces bimodal population development by Escherichia coli

Bacterial biofilm formation is a complex developmental process involving cellular differentiation and the formation of intricate 3D
Pulcini, Elinor

See Elinor's CV attached below.
Models of microbial dormancy in biofilms and plantonic cultures

We present models of dormancy in planktonic cultures and in biofilm, and a new numerical technique for solving the model equations. We use this modeling framework to examine the relative advantage of short dormancy versus long dormancy times in planktonic cultures and biofilms under some basic assumptions. Simulations and asymptotic analyses indicate that in planktonic batch cultures and in chemostats, live biomass is maximized by the fastest possible exit from dormancy.
Persulfate oxidation of MTBE- and chloroform-spent granular activated carbon

Activated persulfate (Na2S2O8) regeneration of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) and chloroform-spent GAC was evaluated in this study. Thermal-activation of persulfate was effective and resulted in greater MTBE removal than either alkaline-activation or H2O2–persulfate binary mixtures. H2O2 may serve multiple roles in oxidation mechanisms including Fenton-driven oxidation, and indirect activation of persulfate through thermal or ferrous iron activation mechanisms.
CBE's new microscopes advance understanding of microbes

MSU News Web Feature, January 13, 2012

One of the nation's most advanced confocal scanning laser microscope arrays has finished its first semester of work at Montana State University's Center for Biofilm Engineering and exceeded researchers' expectations in advancing our understanding of the role of bacteria in everything from infection to industrial corrosion to basic science.
Biofilm images from new scopes

January 3, 2012
The CBE's confocal scanning laser microscopes provide state-of-the-art imaging from living biofilm samples. For a closer look at these microscope images and the researchers, see the confocal microscopy slideshow.
CBE makes cover of "Biotechnology and Bioengineering"

December 22, 2011
The CBE garnered the cover image and an article in the December 2011 issue of Biotechnology and Bioengineering.
CBE PhD student studies coal bed methane production to help hometown economy

November 7, 2011
Elliott Barnhart, CBE PhD student, microbiology, was recently featured by Montana State University for his ability to balance the roles of award-winning collegiate athlete, student, and civic-minded researcher.