Research

A synthetic biofilm-based platform for studying and development of new antibiofilm strategies

Code:

J1-3021

Range:

01. October 2021 - 30. September 2024

Range:

0,20 FTE

Leader:

Nace Zidar

Field:

1.05 Natural sciences and mathematics/Biochemistry and molecular biology

Abstract:

It is well known that the microbial biofilms pose a significant risk for human health and economy. The increased resistance of microbes in biofilms against antimicrobial agents presents a major challenge for microbial biotechnology. The current research identifies the extracellular matrix that can vary in its exopolymeric (EPS) composition significantly even in the same bacterial species, as the decisive component responsible for mechanical and antimicrobials resistance of biofilms. Therefore, it is crucial to understand how reduced efficiency of antibiofilm strategies depends on EPS composition, structure and interaction. In the last decade synthetic biology has made a quick progress, nevertheless there has been precious little engineering in biofilm research. The microbial biotechnology engineers are frustrated by the lack of standardized biofilm components. Our intention is to create, for the first time, the synthetic biofilms composed of multiple native exopolymeric compounds (EPS) with bacterial strains of adjustable cell physiology. We aim to isolate and structurally characterize EPS components such as polysaccharides (e.g. levan), amyloid proteins (e.g. TasA), polyanions (γ-polyglutamic acid and eDNA) from bacterial biofilms. We also intend to isolate and characterize new EPS components. By mixing these intrinsically different polymers we will be able to construct synthetic biofilms with tailored mechanical and diffusion properties designing a novel research platform. In synthetic EPS matrix of various composition the wild-type cells will be integrated.