Details of Award

NERC Reference : NER/T/S/2003/00729

Biofilm disrupting compounds from marine bacteria.

Principal Investigator:: Professor G Burgess, Heriot-Watt University, Sch of Life Sciences
Co-Investigator:: Professor DR Adams, Heriot-Watt University, Sch of Engineering and Physical Science
Grant held at:: Heriot-Watt University, Sch of Life Sciences

Abstract:: Bacterial biofilms play a significant role in biofouling in the marine environment, and also in the pathogenesis of many infectious diseases. An understanding of bioflim formation and disruption will have enormous implications in environmental and medical microbiology. It has recently been found that establishment and maintenance of bioflims is regulated by cell-cell signalling processes such as quorum-sensing. Therefore, blocking communication between bacteria may provide a new strategy to prevent bioflim formation. It is also probable that aquatic bacteria have evolved mechanisms to disrupt the biofilms of other competing bacteria, as a survival strategy. Although this has not yet been documented, we have recently found that this form of competition occurs. Preliminary studies of the effect of bacterial competition on biofilm disruption were carried out. A mature Micrococcus biofllm grown on a glass slide could be completely disrupted by addition of cell-free supernatant from cultures of marine Bacillus licheniformis strain El-34-6 and B. subtilis strain SFP. Disruption of the mature biofilm, which was only observed when bacteria were viable, could therefore be an active physiologically mediated process. This proposal aims to characterise compounds produced by marine Bacilli which bring about dissolution of the Micrococcus bioflim. The extent of this form of competition amongst marine bacteria will also be investigated.

Authorised funds only

This grant award has a total value of £28,670

Total - T&S	Total - Staff	Total - Other Costs	Total - Indirect Costs
£366	£17,158	£3,254	£7,893

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