Structure and Function of Biofilms

Structure and Function of Biofilms PDF Author: William G. Characklis
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell
ISBN:
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 410

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Book Description
Structure and Function of Biofilms W.G. Characklis P.A. Wilderer Editors Biofilms, the accumulation of microorganisms at surfaces (e.g. a rock, a heat exchanger tube, an oil droplet, a tooth, or a medical implant) play an important role in nature and have recently received increasing attention in science as well as in technology. This volume contains a summary of the current state of knowledge concerning the behavior of microorganisms in a biofilm and their physical, chemical, and biological interactions with each other and with the environment at both the biofilm—substratum and the biofilm—bulk liquid interfaces. New techniques to investigate biofilms and to predict the performance of biofilm systems are presented and future research needs are identified. An excellent source of information for microbiologists, medical scientists and engineers is provided.

Structure and Function of Biofilms

Structure and Function of Biofilms PDF Author: William G. Characklis
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell
ISBN:
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 410

Get Book

Book Description
Structure and Function of Biofilms W.G. Characklis P.A. Wilderer Editors Biofilms, the accumulation of microorganisms at surfaces (e.g. a rock, a heat exchanger tube, an oil droplet, a tooth, or a medical implant) play an important role in nature and have recently received increasing attention in science as well as in technology. This volume contains a summary of the current state of knowledge concerning the behavior of microorganisms in a biofilm and their physical, chemical, and biological interactions with each other and with the environment at both the biofilm—substratum and the biofilm—bulk liquid interfaces. New techniques to investigate biofilms and to predict the performance of biofilm systems are presented and future research needs are identified. An excellent source of information for microbiologists, medical scientists and engineers is provided.

Microbial Extracellular Polymeric Substances

Microbial Extracellular Polymeric Substances PDF Author: Jost Wingender
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 3642601472
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 266

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Book Description
Microbial extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) are the key components for the aggregation of microorganisms in biofilms, flocs and sludge. They are composed of polysaccharides, proteins, nucleic acids, lipids and other biological macromolecules. EPS provide a highly hydrated gel matrix in which microbial cells can establish stable synergistic consortia. Cohesion and adhesion as well as morphology, structure, biological function and other properties such as mechanical stability, diffusion, sorption and optical properties of microbial aggregates are determined by the EPS matrix. Also, the protection of biofilm organisms against biocides is attributed to the EPS. Their matrix allows phase separation in biofiltration and is also important for the degradation of particulate material which is of great importance for the self purification processes in surface waters and for waste water treatment.

Community Structure and Co-operation in Biofilms

Community Structure and Co-operation in Biofilms PDF Author: Society for General Microbiology. Symposium
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 9780521793025
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 366

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Book Description
The study of biofilm considers the close association of micro-organisms with each other at interfaces and is relevant to a variety of disciplines, including medicine, dentistry, bioremediation, biofouling, water technology, engineering and food science. Although the habitats studied differ widely, some common elements exist such as method of attachment, coadhesion and regulation of biofilm phenotype and architecture. This book aims to distil the common principles of biofilm physiology and growth for all interested disciplines.

Biofilms in Medicine, Industry and Environmental Biotechnology

Biofilms in Medicine, Industry and Environmental Biotechnology PDF Author: Piet Lens
Publisher: IWA Publishing
ISBN: 1843390191
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 634

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Book Description
Biofilms are of great practical importance for beneficial technologies such as water and wastewater treatment and bioremediation of groundwater and soil. In other settings biofilms cause severe problems, for example in 65% of bacterial infections currently treated by clinicians (particularly those associated with prosthetics and implants), accelerated corrosion in industrial systems, oil souring and biofouling. Until recently, the structure and function of biofilms could only be inferred from gross measures of biomass and metabolic activity. This limitation meant that investigators involved in biofilm research and application had only a crude understanding of the microbial ecology, physical structure and chemical characteristics of biofilms. Consequently, opportunities for the exploitation and control of biofilms were very limited. The past decade has witnessed the development of several new techniques to elucidate the structure and function of biofilms. Examples include: the use of molecular probes that identify different microbes in complex communities as well as their metabolic functions; the use of microsensors that show concentration gradients of key nutrients and chemicals; the use of confocal laser scanning microscopy to describe the physical structure of biofilms and the development of a new generation of mathematical models that allow for the prediction of biofilm structure and function. However, much progress remains to be made in efforts to understand, control and exploit biofilms. This timely book will introduce its readers to the structure and function of biofilms at a fundamental level as determined during the past decade of research, including: Extracellular polymers as the biofilm matrix; Biofilm phenotype (differential gene expression, interspecies signalling); Biofilm ecology; Biofilm monitoring; Resistance of biofilms to antimicrobial agents and Biofilm abatement. Biofilms in Medicine, Industry and Environmental Technology offers a holistic and multi-disciplinary description of the topic, including biofilm formation and composition, but also biofilm monitoring, disinfection and control. All these aspects are presented from three points of views: medical, industrial and environmental biotechnological in a compact, easy to read format.

Biofilms

Biofilms PDF Author: L V Evans
Publisher: CRC Press
ISBN: 0203304721
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 507

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Book Description
Biofilms affect the lives of all of us, growing as they do for example on our teeth (as plaque), on catheters and medical implants in our bodies, on our boats and ships, in food processing environments, and in drinking and industrial water treatment systems. They are highly complex biological communities whose detailed structure and functioning is only gradually being unravelled, with the development of increasingly sophisticated technology for their study. Biofilms almost always have a negative impact on human affairs (flocs in sewage treatment plants are a major exception) and a lot of research is being carried out to gain a better understanding of them, so that we will be in a better position to control them. This volume, with contributions by international experts from widely diverse areas of this field, presents a state-of-the-art picture of where we are at present in terms of our knowledge of biofilms, the techniques being used to study them, and possible strategies for controlling their growth more successfully. It should provide a valuable reference source for information on biofilms and their control for many years to come.

Environmental Microbiology

Environmental Microbiology PDF Author: Ian Pepper
Publisher: Academic Press
ISBN: 0080919405
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 621

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Book Description
For microbiology and environmental microbiology courses, this leading textbook builds on the academic success of the previous edition by including a comprehensive and up-to-date discussion of environmental microbiology as a discipline that has grown in scope and interest in recent years. From environmental science and microbial ecology to topics in molecular genetics, this edition relates environmental microbiology to the work of a variety of life science, ecology, and environmental science investigators. The authors and editors have taken the care to highlight links between environmental microbiology and topics important to our changing world such as bioterrorism and national security with sections on practical issues such as bioremediation, waterborne pathogens, microbial risk assessment, and environmental biotechnology. WHY ADOPT THIS EDITION? New chapters on: Urban Environmental Microbiology Bacterial Communities in Natural Ecosystems Global Change and Microbial Infectious Disease Microorganisms and Bioterrorism Extreme Environments (emphasizing the ecology of these environments) Aquatic Environments (now devoted to its own chapter- was combined with Extreme Environments) Updates to Methodologies: Nucleic Acid -Based Methods: microarrays, phyloarrays, real-time PCR, metagomics, and comparative genomics Physiological Methods: stable isotope fingerprinting and functional genomics and proteomics-based approaches Microscopic Techniques: FISH (fluorescent in situ hybridization) and atomic force microscopy Cultural Methods: new approaches to enhanced cultivation of environmental bacteria Environmental Sample Collection and Processing: added section on air sampling

Bacterial Biofilms

Bacterial Biofilms PDF Author: Tony Romeo
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 3540754180
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 302

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Book Description
Throughout the biological world, bacteria thrive predominantly in surface-attached, matrix-enclosed, multicellular communities or biofilms, as opposed to isolated planktonic cells. This choice of lifestyle is not trivial, as it involves major shifts in the use of genetic information and cellular energy, and has profound consequences for bacterial physiology and survival. Growth within a biofilm can thwart immune function and antibiotic therapy and thereby complicate the treatment of infectious diseases, especially chronic and foreign device-associated infections. Modern studies of many important biofilms have advanced well beyond the descriptive stage, and have begun to provide molecular details of the structural, biochemical, and genetic processes that drive biofilm formation and its dispersion. There is much diversity in the details of biofilm development among various species, but there are also commonalities. In most species, environmental and nutritional conditions greatly influence biofilm development. Similar kinds of adhesive molecules often promote biofilm formation in diverse species. Signaling and regulatory processes that drive biofilm development are often conserved, especially among related bacteria. Knowledge of such processes holds great promise for efforts to control biofilm growth and combat biofilm-associated infections. This volume focuses on the biology of biofilms that affect human disease, although it is by no means comprehensive. It opens with chapters that provide the reader with current perspectives on biofilm development, physiology, environmental, and regulatory effects, the role of quorum sensing, and resistance/phenotypic persistence to antimicrobial agents during biofilm growth.

Microbial Biofilms

Microbial Biofilms PDF Author: Mahmoud Ghannoum
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 1683673336
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 608

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Book Description
An examination of the research and translational application to prevent and treat biofilm-associated diseases In the decade since the first edition of Microbial Biofilms was published, the interest in this field has expanded, spurring breakthrough research that has advanced the treatment of biofilm-associated diseases. This second edition takes the reader on an exciting, extensive review of bacterial and fungal biofilms, ranging from basic molecular interactions to innovative therapies, with particular emphasis on the division of labor in biofilms, new approaches to combat the threat of microbial biofilms, and how biofilms evade the host defense. Chapters written by established investigators cover recent findings, and contributions from investigators new to the field provide unique and fresh insights. Specifically, Microbial Biofilms provides state-of-the-art research in the field of bacterial and fungal biofilms detailed descriptions of the in vitro and in vivo models available to evaluate microbial biofilms future areas of research and their translational and clinical applications Microbial Biofilms is a useful reference for researchers and clinicians. It will also provide insight in the dynamic field of microbial biofilms for graduate and postgraduate students.

Recent Trends in Biofilm Science and Technology

Recent Trends in Biofilm Science and Technology PDF Author: Manuel Simoes
Publisher: Academic Press
ISBN: 0128194987
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 416

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Book Description
Recent Trends in Biofilm Science and Technology helps researchers working on fundamental aspects of biofilm formation and control conduct biofilm studies and interpret results. The book provides a remarkable amount of knowledge on the processes that regulate biofilm formation, the methods used, monitoring characterization and mathematical modeling, the problems/advantages caused by their presence in the food industry, environment and medical fields, and the current and emergent strategies for their control. Research on biofilms has progressed rapidly in the last decade due to the fact that biofilms have required the development of new analytical tools and new collaborations between biologists, engineers and mathematicians. Presents an overview of the process of biofilm formation and its implications Provides a clearer understanding of the role of biofilms in infections Creates a foundation for further research on novel control strategies Updates readers on the remarkable amount of knowledge on the processes that regulate biofilm formation

Microbial Sediments

Microbial Sediments PDF Author: Robert E. Riding
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 3662040360
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 344

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Book Description
This volume provides a comprehensive overview of the rapidly developing field of microbial sediments, featuring excellent artwork. It contains authoritative and stimulating contributions by distinguished authors that cover the field and set the scene for future advances.