Montana State University
Center for Biofilm Engineering
NEWS UPDATE: January 2017
Volume 20, Issue 1
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INDUSTRY HIGHLIGHTS
CBE Annual Biofilm Regulatory Meeting
The Center for Biofilm Engineering is pleased to announce its fourth annual meeting to engage industry, academia, and US government agencies (FDA & EPA) in a discussion on biofilm technologies—“Anti-Biofilm Technologies: Pathways to Product Development.”
CBE is sponsoring this meeting for the fourth consecutive year in an effort to share recent scientific advances in anti-biofilm technologies and the impact on consumer products and healthcare. The meeting will feature speakers from academia, industry, and regulatory agencies presenting on topics such as new anti-biofilm technologies, methods for assessing their efficacy, and how these advances can lead to products that enhance health and safety. There are sessions related to products regulated by both EPA (surface disinfectants) and FDA (medical devices), with a panel discussion following each session.
The regulatory meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 1, 2017 in Arlington, Virginia and will include morning and afternoon sessions with hosted continental breakfast and lunch. Sessions will include speakers from both the FDA and EPA.
For the second year, CBE will be hosting a workshop one day prior to the regulatory meeting on Tuesday, January 31st. The workshop will focus on two pertinent areas of current research: Multi-Kingdom Biofilms and Biofilms in Women’s Health. Both topics will be presented in plenary sessions and will include presentations from industry, academia, and regulatory agencies, as well as discussion sessions following each topic area. (There is a separate fee for the workshop).
View the draft meeting agenda (pdf)
View the draft workshop agenda (pdf)
Registration is required for the meeting and workshop.
Registration fees:
| |
Meeting:
Feb. 1, 2017 |
Workshop:
Jan. 31, 2017 |
| CBE Industrial Associate |
$300 |
$250 |
| Non-member |
$600 |
$500 |
| Academic |
$300 |
$250 |
| US Government |
n/c |
n/c |
The workshop and meeting will be held at the Hilton Crystal City Hotel, 2399 Jefferson Davis Hwy, Arlington, VA 22202. All events, including breakfast, lunch, and coffee breaks will occur at the Hilton Crystal City Hotel.
A block of discounted hotel rooms at the Hilton has been reserved, until January 11, 2017, for meeting attendees and must be booked through our registration website to receive the discounted rate (website link below).
Register online now at www.mtnreg.com/biotech
If you have questions about the meeting, please contact Paul Sturman at (406) 994-2102 paul_s@montana.edu
CBE welcomes two new members to their IA program
In December, the CBE welcomed two new companies to their Industrial Associates program—S.C. Johnson and Smith & Nephew.
Founded in 1886, S.C. Johnson is a family-owned company and one of the world’s leading producers of household brands. Their product portfolio is vast and includes global brands that help every household with cleaning, pest control, storage, shoe and auto care, and home fragrance. The CBE designated representative at SCJ is Deliang Shi. To read more about SCJ visit their website at http://www.scjohnson.com/en/home.aspx
Smith & Nephew is a global medical technology company that supports healthcare professionals with pioneering designs of advanced medical products. Their products and services include: joint replacement systems for knees, hips and shoulders; wound care treatment and prevention products for hard-to-heal wounds; instruments and technologies for minimally invasive joint surgery; and products used to repair bone fractures. Smith & Nephew’s CBE designated representative is Paul Renick. To read more about the company, go to http://www.smith-nephew.com/about-us
View the list of CBE Industrial Associates
Read about CBE membership
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS
CBE faculty member Ross Carlson, professor in MSU’s Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, was recently awarded a three-year grant from the US Army Research Office for his research on the role different species of bacteria play in microbial communities. Read about Carlson’s research at MSU News: “MSU engineering professor awarded U.S. Army Research Office grant” http://www.montana.edu/news/16469/msu-engineering-professor-awarded-u-s-army-research-office-grant
Latest Publications
Corredor Arias LF, Luligo Espinal JS, Moncayo Ortiz, JI, Santacruz Ibarra JJ, Álvarez Aldana A
“Relationship between super antigenicity, antimicrobial resistance and origin of Staphylococcus aureus isolated”
Colombia Médica., 2016 Jan-Mar; 47(1):15–20.
Read abstract
Prather CA, Bray JM, Seymour JD, Codd SL
“NMR study comparing capillary trapping in Berea sandstone of air, carbon dioxide, and supercritical carbon dioxide after imbibition of water”
Water Resour. Res., 2016 Feb; 52:713–724.
Read abstract
Bingham J, Abell G, Kienast L, Lerner L, Matuschek B, Mullins W, Parker A, Reynolds N, Salisbury D, Seidel J, Young E, Kirk J
“Health care worker hand contamination at critical moments in outpatient care settings”
Am J Infect Control, 2016 Nov 1;44(11):1198–1202.
Read abstract
De Serrano LO, Camper AK, Richards AM
“An overview of siderophores for iron acquisition in microorganisms living in the extreme”
Biometals. 2016 Aug; 29(4):551–71.
Read abstract
Kaatz Wahlen L, Parker A, Walker D, Pasmore M, Sturman P
“Predictive modeling for hot water inactivation of planktonic and biofilm-associated Sphingomonas parapaucimobilis to support hot water sanitization programs”
Biofouling, 2016 Aug; 32(7):751–61.
Read abstract
Han X, Schultz L, Zhang W, Zhu J, Meng F, Geesey GG
“Mineral formation during bacterial sulfate reduction in the presence of different electron donors and carbon sources”
Chemical Geology, 2016 Oct 01; 435: 49–59.
Read abstract
Fridjonsson EO, Seymour JD
“Colloid particle transport in a microcapillary: NMR study of particle and suspending fluid dynamics”
Chemical Engineering Science, 2016 October 22; 153: 165–173.
Read abstract
Geesey GG, Barkay T, King S
“Microbes in mercury-enriched geothermal springs in western North America”
Sci Total Environ., 2016 Nov 1; 569–570:321–331.
Read abstract
Hise AM, Characklis GW, Kern J, Gerlach R, Viamajala, S, Gardner, RD, Vadlamani, A
“Evaluating the relative impacts of operational and financial factors on the competitiveness of an algal biofuel production facility”
Bioresour Technol., 2016 Nov; 220:271–281.
Read abstract
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Employee News
Two CBE postdoctoral researchers were recently appointed to assistant research professor positions in MSU’s Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering.
Markus Dieser received his PhD in ecology and environmental sciences from Montana State University in 2009. He joined the lab of Christine Foreman, associate professor chemical and biological engineering, as a postdoctoral fellow in 2013. Dieser's research focus is microbial ecology and biocorrosion.
Dana Skorupa earned her PhD in microbiology at MSU, studying acid-loving algae that inhabit some of Yellowstone National Park’s hot springs. Her current research focuses on trying to isolate novel, relevant, and robust extremophilic microorganisms from alkaline hot springs in Yellowstone’s Heart Lake Geyser Basin. Skorupa is also co-instructor of the MSU undergraduate course “Extreme Microbiology in Yellowstone,” which allows students to experience hands-on field study in Yellowstone National Park.
New Staff
Sarah Gorlitz-Burk recently joined the CBE as business manager. Sarah graduated from Montana State University with a bachelor’s degree in business accounting and has worked on campus for five years in MSU’s business office and audit services. As the CBE business manager, Sarah oversees all budget and fiscal matters. A Bozeman native, Sarah enjoys skiing, boating, and spending time with her husband and two children. The CBE is pleased to have found someone with her strong credentials and positive attitude to fill this key position.
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OUTREACH
CBE Tours
The CBE hosted a tour for John Delaney, executive director for research at Amgen, on October 25, 2016. Delaney was visiting Montana State University to discuss possible collaborative projects with the Department of Microbiology and Immunology and the College of Engineering. Amgen is one of the world’s leading biotechnology companies.
MSU President Waded Cruzado also toured the CBE on October 25th. She was joined by MSU administrators Renee Reijo-Pera, vice president of research, Bob Mokwa, provost, and Brett Gunnink, dean of the College of Engineering. This was Dr. Cruzado's second tour of the center since joining MSU in January 2010. She heard directly from students and staff, in their laboratories, about diverse projects related to algal biofuels, chronic wounds, metabolic exchanges between species, and standardized biofilm methods. After the tour, the group met with the CBE executive committee for a CBE overview on student education, interdisciplinary research, and technology transfer.
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CBE PEOPLE IN ACTION
The following CBE faculty presented research at the Reservoir Microbiology Forum in London England, November 15–16, 2016:
Matthew Fields, CBE director, presented “Bulk phase resource ratio alters electron transfer mechanisms in sulfate-reducing biofilms grown on metal” and “Aqueous sulfate levels control methanogen diversity and activity in subsurface coal seams.”
Robin Gerlach, professor, chemical & biological engineering, presented “Biocementation for wellbore integrity restoration and enhanced resource recovery” and “Identifying the source, pathways, and rates of microbial coalbed methane production.”
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