Biofilms In Medicine Industry And Environmental Biotechnology

Biofilms are of great practical importance for beneficial technologies such as water and wastewater treatment and bioremediation of groundwater and soil. In other settings biofilms cause severe problems, for example in 65% of bacterial infections currently treated by clinicians (particularly those associated with prosthetics and implants), accelerated corrosion in industrial systems, oil souring and biofouling. Until recently, the structure and function of biofilms could only be inferred from gross measures of biomass and metabolic activity. This limitation meant that investigators involved in biofilm research and application had only a crude understanding of the microbial ecology, physical structure and chemical characteristics of biofilms. Consequently, opportunities for the exploitation and control of biofilms were very limited. The past decade has witnessed the development of several new techniques to elucidate the structure and function of biofilms. Examples include: the use of molecular probes that identify different microbes in complex communities as well as their metabolic functions; the use of microsensors that show concentration gradients of key nutrients and chemicals; the use of confocal laser scanning microscopy to describe the physical structure of biofilms and the development of a new generation of mathematical models that allow for the prediction of biofilm structure and function. However, much progress remains to be made in efforts to understand, control and exploit biofilms. This timely book will introduce its readers to the structure and function of biofilms at a fundamental level as determined during the past decade of research, including: Extracellular polymers as the biofilm matrix; Biofilm phenotype (differential gene expression, interspecies signalling); Biofilm ecology; Biofilm monitoring; Resistance of biofilms to antimicrobial agents and Biofilm abatement. Biofilms in Medicine, Industry and Environmental Technology offers a holistic and multi-disciplinary description of the topic, including biofilm formation and composition, but also biofilm monitoring, disinfection and control. All these aspects are presented from three points of views: medical, industrial and environmental biotechnological in a compact, easy to read format.

New and Future Developments in Microbial Biotechnology and Bioengineering: Microbial Biofilms is divided into three sections: microbial adhesion/biofilms in medical settings, microbial adhesion/biofilms in agriculture, and microbial adhesion/biofilm in the environment and industry. Chapters cover adhesion and biofilm formation by pathogenic microbes on tissue and on indwelling medical devices, including sections on human infections, microbial communication during biofilm mode of growth, host defense and antimicrobial resistance, and more. Other sections cover the biofilms of agriculturally important and environmental friendly microbes, including biofilm formation on plants, in soil, and in aquatic environments. Finally, the latest scientific research on microbial adhesion and biofilm formation in the environment and in industry is covered. Provides an overview on the growth, structure, cell-to-cell interactions, and control/dispersal of bacterial and fungal of in vitro and in vivo biofilms Presents an overview on the microbial adhesion, biofilm formation and structures of single-species and multi-species biofilms on human tissues/medical devices, agriculture, environment and chemical industries Includes chapters on microbial biofilms of pathogenic microbes on human tissues and in medical indwelling devices Covers factors affecting microbial biofilm, adhesion and formation

This book provides excellent techniques for detecting and evaluating biofilms: sticky films on materials that are formed by bacterial activity and produce a range of industrial and medical problems such as corrosion, sanitary problems, and infections. Accordingly, it is essential to control biofilms and to establish appropriate countermeasures, from both industrial and medical viewpoints. This book offers valuable, detailed information on these countermeasures. It also discusses the fundamentals of biofilms, relates various substrates to biofilms, and presents a variety of biofilm reactors. However, the most important feature of this book (unlike others on the market) is its clear focus on addressing the practical aspects from an engineering viewpoint. Therefore, it offers an excellent practical guide for engineers and researchers in various fields, and can also be used as a great academic textbook.

Biochemistry and ecology of biofilms from industrial, medical and other viewpoints.

This book provides a broad range of applications and recent advances in the search for biofilm materials in nature. It also explains the future implications for biofilms in the areas of advanced molecular genetics, pharmaceuticals, pharmacology, and toxicology. This book is comprised of 20 chapters from leading experts in the field and it examines immunology and microbiological studies derived from biofilms as well as explores environmental, agricultural, and chemical impacts on biofilms. It is divided into five subdivisions: biofilms and its complications, biofilm infections in human body, detection of biofilm-forming pathogens, antibiofilm chemotherapy, and biofilms production tools in aquaculture. This book may be used as a text or reference for everyone interested in microbial biofilms and their current applications. It is also highly recommended for environmental microbiologists, medical microbiologists, bioremediation experts, and microbiologists working in biocorrosion, biofouling, biodegradation, water microbiology, quorum sensing, and many other related areas. Scientists in academia, research laboratories, and industry will also find it of interest. This book includes chapter homework problems and case studies. Powerpoints are also available for adopting instructors. Discusses and clarifies the resource of isolation and chemical properties from biofilms Discusses the latest pharmaceutical, pharmacological, and medicinal approaches toward the treatment of chronic and uncured diseases, such as Alzheimer’s osteoporotic, sexual dysfunction, sleep sickness, allergy treatment, asthma, hair loss, AIDS, hypertension, antiaging, etc. Examines immunology and microbiological studies derived from biofilms Explores environmental, agricultural, and chemical impacts on biofilms. Dr. Bakrudeen Ali Ahmed Abdul is an Associate Professor, the Head of the Department of Biochemistry and Dean of the School of Life Sciences, Centre for Research and Development (CRD), PRIST Deemed University, Vallam, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India. His research areas include the application of plant biochemistry, bioactive compound production, biotechnological methods, development of pharmaceutical products and pharmacological studies.

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

Biofilms -- Science and Technology covers the main topics of biofilm formation and activity, from basic science to applied aspects in engineering and medicine. The book presents a masterly discussion of microbial adhesion, the metabolism of microorganisms in biofilms, modelling of mass transfer and biological reaction within biofilms, as well as the behaviour of these microbial communities in industry (waste water treatment, heat exchanger biofouling, membranes, food processing) and in medicine (teeth, implants, prosthetic devices). Laboratory techniques and industrial monitoring methods are also presented. The book is directed at readers at the postgraduate level and is organised as a textbook, containing 11 chapters, a glossary, and a detailed subject index.

This book examines biofilms in nature. Organized into four parts, this book addresses biofilms in wastewater treatment, inhibition of biofilm formation, biofilms and infection, and ecology of biofilms. It is designed for clinicians, researchers, and industry professionals in the fields of microbiology, biotechnology, ecology, and medicine as well as graduate and postgraduate students.