Biofilm Morphology Research
A biofilm is a complex, three-dimensional microbial community that grows at an interface and interacts with the surrounding environment. They can be formed by one-celled organisms, including bacteria, archaea, and fungi. Biofilms form when a cell floating in a fluid environment encounters a surface and attaches to it. The attached cells produce an extracellular polymeric substance that provides support for cells in the community.
The photograph shown here was produced by a microfluidic bioreactor coupled with an automated fluorescent microscopy system used the biofilm research group at Doane University.
The main focus of my biofilm research is on how biofilm morphology develops over time. My current research questions include
Research Question 1: How can the morphological structure, in particular, the three-dimensional architecture of a biofilm, be characterized mathematically?
Research Question 2: What environmental and biological factors influence the development of biofilm morphology over time?