AUT - Biofilm Research Unit
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Biofilm Research Unit
One of the most fascinating aspects of microbiology has evolved over the past twenty-five years. Since the times of Pasteur and Koch, microbiologists have worked with pure cultures of microorganisms, often growing them in various broths. We now know that the normal mode of growth for many microorganisms is in aggregates at a solid-liquid interface. These accumulations are called ‘biofilms’. Everywhere we look, we find biofilms growing – in our mouths, in our intestines, in streams, on food processing equipment and in our factories – forming complex communities in which the individual cells communicate via chemical signals. Biofilms are quite different from free-floating cells and are often much more resistant to cleaning and sanitizing. It is therefore essential that we study biofilms to ensure that we can control them.
These microorganisms have the potential to cause major economic loss, as their presence in milk powder results in downgrading of quality, but may also be critical in the settling and nutrition of shellfish larvae. The cells attach firmly to surfaces, such as stainless steel, rubber and seaweeds, producing polysaccharide glue that makes them hard to remove protecting them from sanitizers.
The Biofilm Research Unit was set up to bring together a critical mass of postgraduate students to study biofilms in food processing equipment and the environment.
Contact:
Professor John D. Brooks
Ph: +649 921 9428
Email: john.brooks@aut.ac.nz
RESEARCHERS- Modeling of growth of thermophilic biofilms, with particular reference to the food and dairy processing industries
- Influence of biofilms on larval settlement and nutrition in shellfish farming
CURRENT POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH
- Isabel Huizi Li – PhD student
Thermophilic bacilli form biofilms in heated sections of milk processing equipment, causing downgrading of product. Modeling of this behaviour will yield predictive equations that can be used to design processes that minimize biofilm growth.
- Lynda Guildford – Master of Science student
Macroalgae (seaweeds) are colonized by bacterial biofilms. They are also the sites for settlement of larvae of green-lipped mussels. The biofilms appear to be involved in triggering the settlement process and subsequent nutrition of the larvae.