Through one-on-one interviews, Biofilm First explores the research being conducted at the Center for Biofilm Engineering and the talented researchers expanding the field. The Center for Biofilm Engineering is the world's first, largest, and biofilm research center. Follow the CBE on Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube @BiofilmFirst.
Today, we’re talking with Dr. Heidi Smith, who runs one of the most powerful microscopy facilities in the Pacific Northwest. Heidi took on the task of managing the Bio-Imaging Facility at the Center for Biofilm Engineering in 2018. And one of her first orders of business was to undertake an ambitious plan to upgrade the microscopy hardware. She landed more than $1.5 million in grants, which enabled the purchase of research-expanding equipment that can peer deeper into biofilms than ever before, Importantly, by some standards, the new hardware will exceed the lab’s current capabilities eightfold.
Today we’re talking with Dr. Dana Skorupa, whose research interests at the Center for Biofilm Engineering at Montana State University, include thermophiles, which are microbes that thrive in extreme environments such as the ever hot and caustic waters of Yellowstone National Park’s Geothermal Geyser Basins. We’ll also focus on Dana’s work getting young scientists involved with hands-on research. She regularly takes undergraduate researchers into Yellowstone to bioprospect for these thermophiles – specifically those that are capable of degrading plastics.
Today we’re talking with Dr. Garth James, who oversees the Medical Biofilms Lab at the Center for Biofilm Engineering at Montana State University. Today, we’ll talk with Garth about the devastating role biofilms play in some chronic wounds, as well as hospital acquired infections.
Today, we’re talking with Dr. Darla Goeres, whose research interests at the Center for Biofilm Engineering at Montana State University includestandardized biofilm methods developmentbiological reactor designthe evaluation of biofilms in the built environmentefficacy testing of potential anti-biofilm treatmentsDarla, who until recently chaired the ASTM E35 committee (Pesticides, antimicrobials, and alternative control agents), notes that the majority of the leadership positions within the subcommittees and main committee are filled by women. This is a proud achievement whose origin she explains. We also get into her view on the importance of standard methods, the ASTM process, and the role biofilms play in skunky smelling, funky tasting draft beer.
Dr. Erika Espinosa-Ortiz's research interests at the Center for Biofilm Engineering at Montana State University includefungal-based technologies for water and soil remediationbiodeterioration of building materials due to multi-domain biofilm formationbiomineralization processes applied to the medical field, such as the formation of kidney stones induced by urinary tract infections).In this podcast, we’ll speak with Erika about why the National Science Foundation is interested in making building materials out of fungi, why NASA is eying fungi to aid in long-term space travel, and how biofilms are damaging some of the United States’ most-treasured monuments.