Scholarly Work - Center for Biofilm Engineering
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Item A biofilm growth protocol and the design of a magnetic field exposure setup to be used in the study of magnetic fields as a means of controlling bacterial biofilms(2009-07) McLeod, Bruce R.; Sandvik, Elizabeth L.The use of prosthetic implants is increasing both in the United States and around the world and there is a concomitant rise in cases of biofilm-based, persistent infections that are quite serious and virtually impervious to antibiotic treatment. The development of alternate therapies that do not involve long term use of high levels of antibiotics or surgical intervention is needed. Based on the success of using electric or magnetic fields to alter certain physiological processes, it is hypothesized that relatively low level magnetic fields, in conjunction with the appropriate antibiotic, may be able to help control and eventually clear bacterial biofilms on a prosthetic. In order to test this hypothesis, it is necessary to first develop a means of growing laboratory grade biofilms on specific materials in a way that is repeatable between experiments and that can be reproduced by other laboratories. Secondly, a means of applying controlled magnetic fields to the surfaces supporting the biofilms at a defined temperature must be developed. This article addresses both of these points.Item Global transcriptional, physiological, and metabolite analyses of the responses of Desulfovibrio vulgaris Hildenborough to salt adaptation(2009-12) He, Zhili; Zhou, Aifen; Baidoo, Edward E. K.; He, Q.; Joachimiak, M. P.; Benke, P.; Phan, R.; Mukhopadhyay, A.; Hemme, C. L.; Huang, K.; Alm, E. J.; Fields, Matthew W.; Wall, Judy D.; Stahl, David A.; Hazen, Terry C.; Keasling, J. D.; Arkin, Adam P.; Zhou, JizhongThe response of Desulfovibrio vulgaris Hildenborough to salt adaptation (long-term NaCl exposure) was examined by performing physiological, global transcriptional, and metabolite analyses. Salt adaptation was reflected by increased expression of genes involved in amino acid biosynthesis and transport, electron transfer, hydrogen oxidation, and general stress responses (e.g., heat shock proteins, phage shock proteins, and oxidative stress response proteins). The expression of genes involved in carbon metabolism, cell growth, and phage structures was decreased. Transcriptome profiles of D. vulgaris responses to salt adaptation were compared with transcriptome profiles of D. vulgaris responses to salt shock (short-term NaCl exposure). Metabolite assays showed that glutamate and alanine accumulated under salt adaptation conditions, suggesting that these amino acids may be used as osmoprotectants in D. vulgaris. Addition of amino acids (glutamate, alanine, and tryptophan) or yeast extract to the growth medium relieved salt-related growth inhibition. A conceptual model that links the observed results to currently available knowledge is proposed to increase our understanding of the mechanisms of D. vulgaris adaptation to elevated NaCl levels.Item Identification and characterization of a novel member of the radical AdoMet enzyme superfamily and implications for the biosynthesis of the Hmd hydrogenase active site cofactor(2009-11) McGlynn, Shawn E.; Boyd, Eric S.; Shepard, Eric M.; Lange, Rachel K.; Gerlach, Robin; Broderick, Joan B.; Peters, John W.The genetic context, phylogeny, and biochemistry of a gene flanking the H2-forming methylene-H4-methanopterin dehydrogenase gene (hmdA), here designated hmdB, indicate that it is a new member of the radical S-adenosylmethionine enzyme superfamily. In contrast to the characteristic CX3CX2C or CX2CX4C motif defining this family, HmdB contains a unique CX5CX2C motif.