A Study of Biofilm Formation in a Low-Nutrient System

Presenter Information

Tom Olsen

Location

CSU

Student's Major

Biological Sciences

Student's College

Science, Engineering and Technology

Mentor's Name

Dorothy Wrigley

Mentor's Department

Biological Sciences

Mentor's College

Science, Engineering and Technology

Description

In a low-nutrient aquatic system such as those found in nature, bacteria are prone to form biofilms on various surfaces. A biofilm is an aggregation of bacteria in microcolonies held together by an extracellular matrix composed of polysaccharides and glycoproteins. Beneficial biofilms cycle essential chemicals in the soil and water, provide protection within host animals and plants, and open barren terrain for colonization by other organisms. However, they are damaging in some systems and are associated with infections of implanted medical devices, obstruction of plumbing, and are reservoirs for contamination and disease. In this study, a Klebsiella was isolated from the Minnesota River and used as the test organism. Klebsiella is known for its ability to form biofilms in nature. A simple biofilm reactor was designed and sampling methods were developed to assess the activity and growth of these bacteria in biofilms. The biofilm reactor and standard methods formulated can be used to further study in biofilm impact in food processing and natural settings.

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A Study of Biofilm Formation in a Low-Nutrient System

CSU

In a low-nutrient aquatic system such as those found in nature, bacteria are prone to form biofilms on various surfaces. A biofilm is an aggregation of bacteria in microcolonies held together by an extracellular matrix composed of polysaccharides and glycoproteins. Beneficial biofilms cycle essential chemicals in the soil and water, provide protection within host animals and plants, and open barren terrain for colonization by other organisms. However, they are damaging in some systems and are associated with infections of implanted medical devices, obstruction of plumbing, and are reservoirs for contamination and disease. In this study, a Klebsiella was isolated from the Minnesota River and used as the test organism. Klebsiella is known for its ability to form biofilms in nature. A simple biofilm reactor was designed and sampling methods were developed to assess the activity and growth of these bacteria in biofilms. The biofilm reactor and standard methods formulated can be used to further study in biofilm impact in food processing and natural settings.