Fundamentals of Biofilm Research

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

Introduction to biofilms and to biofilm researchIntroductionTerminologyCharacterizing selected parts of biofilm systemsCharacterizing microbial growth and biofilm formationBiofilm-based technologiesStrategy of biofilm researchResearch programInterpreting results of biofilm studiesImaging and characterizing biofilm componentsOptical microscopyFluorescence microscopy Electron microscopyAtomic force microscopyMicroscopy for surface analysisNuclear magnetic resonance imagingLaboratory biofilm reactors and their applicationsIntroductionVariables in biofilm reactorsLBRs as scale modelsFactors affecting biofilm processes in LBRsOperating modes of LBRsLBRs and their typical applicationsUsing LBRs in conjunction with other tools to explore biofilm processes at the microscaleFunctionality of LBRsSensors useful in biofilm researchFundamental concepts in electrochemistry and principles of electrochemical sensorsMicrosensorsMicrosensors: Construction, instrumentation, and calibrationIntroductionConstructing microelectrodesConstructing fiber optic microsensorsControlling microelectrode movements and data acquisitionQuantifying biofilm structureThe need to quantify biofilm structureTypes of imagesComputing parameters from biofilm imagesQuantifying biomass distribution in 3-D from stacks of biofilm imagesInterfering effectsTesting available software packages quantifying biofilm structureDirections of future research on quantifying biofilm structureBiofilms on metals and other electrically conductive surfacesIntroductionBasic electrochemical concepts relevant to understanding the effects of biofilms on metalsAbiotic corrosion of active metals: IronAbiotic corrosion of passive metalsQuantifying electron transfer processes in electrochemically active biofilmsElectrochemical techniques for studying electrochemically active biofilmsExamples of technologically relevant electrochemically active biofilmsInterpreting results of biofilm studies using the model of stratified biofilms IntroductionConceptual model of stratified biofilmsInterpreting results of biofilm studies using the conceptual model of stratified biofilmsUsing the model of stratified biofilms to refine conceptual models of biofilm structure and activityComputing biokinetics parameters in stratified biofilmsMathematical modeling of biofilm processes and experimental verification of model predictions Protocols and proceduresIntroductionPreparing the experimental systemQuantifying microbial growthPreparing and operating biofilm reactorsCommon procedures Disclaimer