The Biofilm Primer


Book Description

This book details the widely accepted hypothesis that the majority of bacteria in virtually all ecosystems grow in matrix-enclosed biofilms. The author, who first proposed this biofilm hypothesis, uses direct evidence from microscopy and from molecular techniques, arguing cogently for moving beyond conventional culture methods that dominated microbiology in the last century. Bacteria grow predominantly in biofilms in natural, engineered, and pathogenic ecosystems; this book provides a solid basis for the understanding of bacterial processes in environmental, industrial, agricultural, dental and medical microbiology. Using a unique "ecological" perspective, the author explores the commensal and pathogenic colonization of human organ systems.




Fundamentals of Biofilm Research, Second Edition


Book Description

The six years that have passed since the publication of the first edition have brought significant advances in both biofilm research and biofilm engineering, which have matured to the extent that biofilm-based technologies are now being designed and implemented. As a result, many chapters have been updated and expanded with the addition of sections reflecting changes in the status quo in biofilm research and engineering. Emphasizing process analysis, engineering systems, biofilm applications, and mathematical modeling, Fundamentals of Biofilm Research, Second Edition provides the tools to unify and advance biofilm research as a whole. Retaining the goals of the first edition, this second edition serves as: A compendium of knowledge about biofilms and biofilm processes A set of instructions for designing and conducting biofilm experiments A set of instructions for making and using various tools useful in biofilm research A set of computational procedures useful in interpreting results of biofilm research A set of instructions for using the model of stratified biofilms for data interpretation, analysis, and biofilm activity prediction




Community Structure and Co-operation in Biofilms


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.




Fossil and Recent Biofilms


Book Description

This textbook on biofilms combines knowledge on sub-aquatic and sub-aerial biofilms and their products (stromatolites, oolites, ore, petroleum and gas deposits). It describes how formation and degradation of minerals and rocks is achieved through biofilm formation on and in sediments, soils and rocks. Methods of study, examples of Precambrian biofilms of an early Earth as well as the most recent examples of desert rock biofilms are treated in this integrative book on biofilms, microbial mats and stromatolites.




Biofilms


Book Description

A state-of-the-art review of biofilm science and technology, incorporating approaches from microbiology, physical chemistry, environmental engineering and chemical engineering. The book describes the physical and chemical properties of biofilms and the processes by which they accumulate.




Biofilms in Bioelectrochemical Systems


Book Description

This book serves as a manual of research techniques for electrochemically active biofilm research. Using examples from real biofilm research to illustrate the techniques used for electrochemically active biofilms, this book is of most use to researchers and educators studying microbial fuel cell and bioelectrochemical systems. The book emphasizes the theoretical principles of bioelectrochemistry, experimental procedures and tools useful in quantifying electron transfer processes in biofilms, and mathematical modeling of electron transfer in biofilms. It is divided into three sections: Biofilms: Microbiology and microbioelectrochemistry - Focuses on the microbiologic aspect of electrochemically active biofilms and details the key points of biofilm preparation and electrochemical measurement Electrochemical techniques to study electron transfer processes - Focuses on electrochemical characterization and data interpretation, highlighting key factors in the experimental procedures that affect reproducibility Applications - Focuses on applications of electrochemically active biofilms and development of custom tools to study electrochemically active biofilms. Chapters detail how to build the reactors for applications and measure parameters




The Biofilm Laboratory


Book Description

Laboratory protocol manual for corporate, medical, and university laboratories. Printed on waterproof paper with Spiral-O binding.




Recent Trends in Biofilm Science and Technology


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




Introduction to Biofilm Engineering


Book Description

"There is a growing demand for investigation of biofilm mechanisms in detail for the purpose of controlling diseases as well as for harnessing their potential for industrial biotechnology applications. Although biofilms have greater roles in disease biology and offer better yields than suspended cells in bioprocesses, little emphasis has placed on biofilms in several universities' curricula. This book aims to provide a basic understanding about biofilm formation, factors influencing biofilm formations, and engineering strategies for improving or inhibiting the growth of biofilms. This book will serve as course material for the undergraduate students, graduate students, and faculty who are interested in offering a course on biofilm engineering. This book covers techniques that are relevant to biofilm characterization, which will be helpful for the researchers to gain basic understanding about the subject"--




Microbial Electrochemical Technologies


Book Description

This book encompasses the most updated and recent account of research and implementation of Microbial Electrochemical Technologies (METs) from pioneers and experienced researchers in the field who have been working on the interface between electrochemistry and microbiology/biotechnology for many years. It provides a holistic view of the METs, detailing the functional mechanisms, operational configurations, influencing factors governing the reaction process and integration strategies. The book not only provides historical perspectives of the technology and its evolution over the years but also the most recent examples of up-scaling and near future commercialization, making it a must-read for researchers, students, industry practitioners and science enthusiasts. Key Features: Introduces novel technologies that can impact the future infrastructure at the water-energy nexus. Outlines methodologies development and application of microbial electrochemical technologies and details out the illustrations of microbial and electrochemical concepts. Reviews applications across a wide variety of scales, from power generation in the laboratory to approaches. Discusses techniques such as molecular biology and mathematical modeling; the future development of this promising technology; and the role of the system components for the implementation of bioelectrochemical technologies for practical utility. Explores key challenges for implementing these systems and compares them to similar renewable energy technologies, including their efficiency, scalability, system lifetimes, and reliability.