Watch: UK-India-Singapore Biofilm Series, Health/Clinical Webinar
Together with the India Biofilms Society (IBS) and the Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering (SCELSE) we have joined hands to host a biofilm webinar series, to foster interactions between biofilm researchers in the UK, India, and Singapore.
These webinars are aimed at initiating dialogue between researchers, and will help identify complementing technologies and ideas for long-term partnerships.
The first webinar took place on 30 September 2021 and focused in the theme, ‘Health/Clinical. Recordings of two of the talks are available to watch on this page. Slides from three of the presentations are also available to download below.
Presentations
UK: Professor Jean-Yves Maillard and Dr Katarzyna Ledwoch.
Title: Disinfection of biofilms in healthcare settings.
Abstract (provided by Dr Katarzyna Ledwoch): My area of expertise include disinfection of biofilms in healthcare settings, in particular biofilm model design for disinfection efficacy testing to better reflect the in vivo conditions as compared to standardised tests. I also recently published a study on keyboard contamination in hospitals and transferability of bacteria from dry surface biofilms despite decontamination with sodium hypochlorite.
Looking for: Interested in academic collaborations focusing on any aspects of biofilm work.
INDIA: Professor Adline Princy Solomon
Title: DMTU – A wonder molecule against oral dysbiosis.
Abstract: Dental caries occurs due to dysbiosis among commensal and pathogenic bacteria, leading to demineralization of enamel within a dental biofilm (plaque) due to lower pH in the oral cavity. Our group has reported that the wonder molecule DMTU could target specific biofilm inhibition of the cariogenic pathogen, S. mutans. In addition to synergistic interaction with fluoride against S. mutans biofilm, the target-specific action was explored using gene expression analysis. In vivo treatment with DMTU, alone or in combination with fluoride, resulted in inhibition of caries (biofilm development of S. mutans) using a Wistar rat model for dental caries. Histopathological analysis reported the intact dentines for DMTU treated rodents. Reduction in inflammatory markers in rodents’ blood and liver samples was observed when treated with DMTU. DMTU was further tested for its potential to inhibit virulence against a multispecies biofilm – comprising an early colonizer S. gordonii, a bridge colonizer F. nucleatum, and late colonizers P. gingivalis and A. actinomycetemcomitans. Interestingly, DMTU inhibited and disrupted multispecies biofilms without bactericidal effects. Mechanistic studies revealed a significant downregulation of biofilm and virulence-related genes in P. gingivalis. Taken together, our group exploited the potential of DMTU as an anti-virulent molecule against oral pathogens.
Looking for: Interested in a joint collaboration with any research team who is interested to tackle AMR.
SINGAPORE: Professor Guillermo Carlos Bazan
Title: Conjugated Oligoelectrolytes: A Versatile Platform for Microbial Membrane Modification.
Abstract: Conjugated oligoelectrolytes (COEs) are synthetic molecules characterized by a pi-conjugated segment of 2-5 repeat units and terminal ionic functionalities. The distribution of hydrophobic content and hydrophilic charged groups leads to spontaneous self-assembly within lipid bilayer membranes. This membrane modification allows one to modify the behaviour of living microorganisms in a manner that is correlated to the COE chemical structure. Initial studies demonstrated that it is possible to improve the function of bioelectrochemical devices, such as microbial fuel cells and bioelectrosynthesis platforms. More recent work has taken advantage of optical processes and electrochemical properties to mediate permeability and to open new channels for electron injection into microbes. The collective effort has resulted in structure-function relationships that allow one to design COEs that either protect microbes from environmental stress or be effective antibiotics. Moreover, we have now found success in controlling antibiotic efficacy, cytotoxicity and in-vivo toxicity to generate suitable drug candidates based on COE structural variations.
Looking for: Interested in working with a team with relevant local clinical isolates. Also happy to start working with a team interested in determining efficacy against pathogen biofilms.
If you would like to make contact with any of the presenters or explore how NBIC can help you with your work or business via facilitating contacts with companies or researchers please do contact us at nbic@biofilms.ac.uk