This product can also be purchased with the following package(s): 2003 Cytergy Courseware Subscription, Biofilm Science in Healthcare and Medicine 2003.

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More information about this product:

• Product Description
• Outline
• Author Biography

Also available with purchase of this courseware:

• Downloadable print copy of presentation slides (Adobe PDF)
• Glossary of key terms
• Bibliography of related publications
• List of online resources
• Technical support from instructor (at a discounted consulting rate available only through Cytergy)

While biofilm research has been in full swing for more than two decades, only recently have scientists begun to explore the nature of biofilm physiology, gene expression, and cell signaling. Biofilm Biotechnology is presented in response to the tremendous need to facilitate the communication of new science in the areas of proteomics, genomics, and cell signaling in biofilms.

Renowned microbiologist Dr. J. William "Bill" Costerton, the modern day father of biofilm microbiology and Director of the Center for Biofilm Engineering, introduces the course with a visual tour of the biofilm, focusing on its structure, ecology, growth, and detachment.

Biofilm Biotechnology presents exciting new research in the areas of protein expression, genetic function, and cell-cell signaling in biofilms, in the context of selected real-world case studies that highlight the importance of understanding these advanced concepts in order to develop innovative technologies for biofilm control in nature, industry, and medicine.

Length: 30 Minutes

PART 1. BIOFILM VISUALIZATION

A discussion of the three-dimensional nature of biofilm structure, including structural differentiation in biofilms, biofilm ecology, liquid flow in biofilms, biofilm growth and detachment processes, and biofilm rheology. These concepts are highlighted by a series of animated movies of biofilms in-situ.

PART 2. CONCEPTUAL MODEL OF A BIOFILM

A conceptual model is presented that highlights physiological cooperation and metabolic cooperativity, providing the foundation for understanding phenotypic changes in biofilms.

PART 3. PHENOTYPIC CHANGES IN BIOFILMS

This section begins to emphasize the importance of proteomics and genomics as tools to understand advanced biofilm concepts, including phenotypic heterogeneity in biofilm growth, the proteomic and genomic evolution that occurs during biofilm growth, and visualization of gene activation in biofilms. Case studies are highlighted to show the utility of DNA microarrays in biofilm applications, and the use of genetic markers to view in-situ expression of toxin-producing genes in infectious biofilms.

PART 4. CELL-CELL COMMUNICATIONS IN BIOFILMS

As an expert in the area of cell signaling, Dr. Costerton goes into great detail reviewing emerging concepts in the area of cell-cell communications and signaling, including quorum sensing systems, signal molecular structures, signal mutations used to study biofilm behavior, and signal interruption as the foundation of technologies used to prevent biofilm growth or facilitate its detachment. Case studies are presented to illustrate in-situ diagnosis of biofilm growth and activity in lung tissue, as well as model material surfaces with anti-biofilm properties.

5. CONCLUSION

Dr. J. William “Bill” Costerton is the Director of Montana State University's world-renown Center for Biofilm Engineering.

Dr. Costerton obtained his B.S. and M.S. degrees in Bacteriology and Immunology from the University of British Columbia, and his doctorate from the University of Western Ontario. He pursued post-doctoral training at London’s Cambridge University.

In the late 1970s while serving as Professor of Biology at the University of Calgary, his research on microbial biofilms shattered conventional wisdom in the discipline of bacterial microbiology and gained him the respect of scientists around the world. He has since remained at the forefront of research in the still emerging field of biofilms.

As one of the world’s top 100 most-cited authors in microbiology, Dr. Costerton has helped educate healthcare professionals about the structure, behavior, and antibiotic resistance of bacteria that form biofilm colonies. His research and biological patents help save lives and increase the success of therapies designed to control chronic infections caused by bacterial films residing on medical implants or human tissue. The usefulness of Dr. Costerton’s biofilm discoveries are not limited to the healthcare industry. Petroleum, agricultural, and water storage companies have also benefited from his groundbreaking work. At present he continues his research and publication projects as Director of the Center for Biofilm Engineering at Montana State University in Bozeman.

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