Seminar: Bacterial biofilms: An Old Foe with New Tricks

Bacterial biofilms: An Old Foe with New Tricks

 Filipe Mergulhão

LEPABE - Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal

Microbial biofilms can be defined as communities of microorganisms attached to a surface embedded in a self-produced polymeric matrix. Biofilms are widespread in nature and constitute an important strategy implemented by microorganisms to survive the sometimes harsh environmental conditions. Research in bacterial biofilms is usually focused on their deleterious effects in the medical and industrial sectors given their significant economical and health impacts.

This presentation includes some examples of the Biofilm research performed at the Biofilm Engineering Lab (BEL) from LEPABE. Our research is focused on biofilm prevention, monitoring, control and microbial detection within biofilms. We approach biofilm prevention mostly by using modified surfaces that delay bacterial adhesion or kill bacteria upon contact. We test these surfaces in biofilm testing platforms with controlled hydrodynamics and surfaces coated with polymer brushes, peptides or incorporating carbon nanotubes are being evaluated. On the monitoring side the group has developed an online sensor to monitor biofilm development in a non-invasive way using nanovibrations. Biofilm control strategies include the use of phytochemicals or their derivatives  obtained by rational design. For microbial detection the group uses the FISH (fluoresncense in situ hybridization) technique using different nucleic acid mimics with increased performance. The research that is performed in the group has applications in the biomedical, industrial and environmental areas and selected examples will be discussed including the possibility of producing recombinant proteins from Escherichia coli biofilms. This would turn an old enemy from the medical field into a powerful workhorse for obtaining valuable molecules.