Description: Biofilms are the preferred mode of growth for the majority of bacteria. A biofilm is defined as a structured community of bacterial cells enclosed in a self-producing polymeric matrix and adherent to an inert or living surface. Biofilms can be beneficial (e.g. bioremediation, commensal intestinal bacteria…) but most often they are detrimental to industrial processes (e.g. pipelines in industrial processes) and to human health. Indeed, 80% of all bacterial infections are related to biofilms according to the National Institute of Health. The bacteria in these biofilms are more resistant to the treatment with antibiotics as compared to their free-living counterparts. Therefore, the search for alternative and more efficient preventive and curative molecules is currently a hot topic in microbiology research.
One strategy to interfere with biofilm formation is by selectively blocking the controlling mechanisms of biofilm formation. In many bacterial species, biofilm formation is regulated by bacterial cell-cell communication systems based on small signal molecules, referred to as quorum sensing. Since interfering with this communication system generally does not imply inhibiting bacterial growth, bacteria will be less prone to the development op resistance against the molecules applied.
This PhD project aims at the identification of potential quorum sensing interfering molecules in order to inhibit bacterial biofilm formation. Moreover, the molecular mechanism of the molecules applied will be investigated through high-throughput gene expression studies and fluorescence microscopy. In vitro results will be challenged by “real life” cases in close contact with industrial partners. This project is in close collaboration with the Centre for Surface Chemistry and Catalysis (COK, Prof. D. De Vos).
Place: Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics
Promoter: Prof. Dr. ir. J. Vanderleyden
Techniques: molecular microbiology (cloning, mutant construction, DNA/RNA/protein isolation…), microarrays, gene expression low-throughput (RT-PCR, FACS, reporter genes), biofilm formation assays, microscopy.
More information: http://www.utu.fi/en/iii/
Key words: microbiology, biotechnology, molecular biology, Salmonella, chemistry, quorum sensing
PhD/Postdoc: PhD
Financing: Erasmus Mundus External Cooperation Window
Link: http://www.utu.fi/en/iii/ and http://www.biw.kuleuven.be/dtp/cmpg/SandP.htm
Research group:
Remarks: Additional information can be obtained by visiting our web-site at http://www.biw.kuleuven.be/dtp/cmpg/SandP.htm or by sending an e-mail to jozef.vanderleyden@biw.kuleuven.be
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