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Biofilm Centre
Report 2011
Aquatic Microbiology
Aquatic Biotechnology
Molecular Enzyme Technology & Biochemistry
Biofilm Centre
The Biofilm Centre is composed of three groups: Aquatic Microbiology, Aquatic Biotechnolo-gy and Molecular Enzyme Technology & Biochemistry. It is part of the Faculty of Chemistry and exists since 2001 at the University of Duisburg-Essen. By the end of 2010, the Biofilm Centre moved completely from three different locations at the campus Duisburg into one lo-cation at the campus Essen. Of course, moving laboratories goes along with quite some ad-justment period in the new place, being busy with overcoming preliminary problems with in-stallations equipment and the new offices. In terms of science, this is a relatively ineffective phase. But it turned out as a good investment, and the brand new laboratories and offices were well equipped. Being in Essen facilitates the interaction with the other colleagues from the faculties of chemistry, biology, engineering and the clinics.
The Biofilm Centre comprised in 2011 a staff of 46, with three professors, one Research Group Leader, 3 laboratory heads, 2 postdocs, 23 Ph. D. students, 4 Technicians, 2 Secre-taries and 10 Master- and Bachelor students.
The focus of the Aquatic Microbiology lies in fundamental biofilm research and on the role of biofilms as a habitat for pathogens with Jost Wingender as leader of the “Research Group Pathogens in Biofilms”. Hans-Curt Flemming is affiliated to the IWW Water Centre as a Member of the Board of Directors. Aquatic Biotechnology mainly focuses on fundamentals and applications of biological leaching processes, biocorrosion and the prevention of acid mine drainage. Molecular Enzyme Technology and Biochemistry concentrates on unrav-eling archaeal carbohydrate metabolism and stress response including transcription and transcription regulation. Beside classical biochemical, molecular biological and genetic ap-proaches in collaboration with (inter)national partners state of the art high-throughput ap-proaches (e.g. transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics and modelling) are used to gain a system level understanding (systems biology.
In 2011, Wolfgang Sand was appointed as a Guest Professor of the School of Minerals Pro-cessing and Bioengineering at Central South University in Changsha, China. Also in 2011, Hans-Curt Flemming was appointed as Visiting Professor at the Singapore Center for Life Sciences and Engineering (SCELSE)
With an overall funding of 4.2 Mio € for projects currently in progress, it ranks among the top groups of our university. The funding is provided by the German Research Foundation, the Ministry for Research and Education, the Ministry for Environment, the German Environmen-tal Foundation the Ministry for Economy, the European Union and from industry.
In spite of the somehow unproductive months of adjustment, 2011 became a surprisingly successful year. This is owed to the dedication and commitment of all people engaged in the Biofilm Centre which is gratefully acknowledged! We are happy to be together now, which facilitates closer collaboration and more effective exchange of equipment and gossip through all three groups so much better.
And with this new beginning, we decided to begin with our series of “Biofilm Centre Annual Reports”
For the Biofilm Centre:
Bettina Siebers Hans-Curt Flemming Wolfgang Sand
I
Table of Contents
Biofilm Centre Staff ...................................................................................................... 1
Aquatic Microbiology
Recognition and countermeasures to transiently non-culturable pathogens in drinking water installations .............................................................................................................................. 2 (PI: Hans-Curt Flemming, Jost Wingender)
Nanosilver particles - mechanisms of action and study of possible interaction with tissue, cells and molecules. Definition of their relevant potential for intolerance. .......... 3 (PI: Hans-Curt Flemming, Jost Wingender)
Microbial ochering in technical systems ..................................................................................... 4 (PI: Hans-Curt Flemming, Jost Wingender)
Dynaklim (“Dynamic adaptation of regional planning and developmental processes to the impact of climate change in the Emscher-Lippe region (Ruhrgebiet)”) ....................... 5 (PI: Hans-Curt Flemming, Jost Wingender)
BOSS – Biofilm Organisms Surfing Space. ................................................................................. 6 (PI: Hans-Curt Flemming, Jost Wingender)
Proteins, polysaccharides and nucleic acids as components of the extracellular polymeric substances of drinking-water biofilms ..................................................................... 7 (PI: Hans-Curt Flemming, Jost Wingender)
Freshwater plankton as a habitat for hygienically relevant microorganisms .................... 8 (PI: Hans-Curt Flemming, Jost Wingender)
Advanced Technologies for Water Resource Management (ATWARM) .............................. 9 (PI: Hans-Curt Flemming, Thorsten Schmidt)
Membrane biofouling: permeability of biofilms ....................................................................... 10 (PI: Hans-Curt Flemming, Hans Vrouvenvelder)
Aquatic Biotechnology
Biogenic sulfuric acid corrosion of different materials ......................................................... 11 (PI: Wolfgang Sand)
Iron- and sulfur- oxidizing microorganisms in the Lusatian- and Central German lignite
mining districts ................................................................................................................................. 12 (PI: Wolfgang Sand)
Microcalorimetry – a Measuring Technique for the Detection of Biomining .................... 13 (PI: Wolfgang Sand)
Process engineering and microbiological optimization of biofiltration systems in aquaculture plants ........................................................................................................................... 14 (PI: Wolfgang Sand)
Investigation of interfacial microbial-metal sulfide interactions in a simulated heap
bioleach environment ...................................................................................................................... 15 (PI: Wolfgang Sand)
Bio-derived corrosion protection for metallic materials by analogues of microbial exopolymeric substances from renewable resources
(PI: Wolfgang Sand) 15
Physiological and Molecular processes involved in Biofilm formation in Bioleaching bacteria ...............................................................................................................................17 (PI: Wolfgang Sand)
II
BIOCOR ITN Initial Training Network on biocorrosion ........................................................... 18 (PI: Wolfgang Sand)
Molecular Enzyme Technology & Biochemistry
HotZyme - Systematic screening for novel hydrolases from hot environments ............. 19 (PI: Bettina Siebers)
ExpresSYS - A Platform of Novel Microbial Expression Systems for Industrially Relevant Genes ................................................................................................................................. 20 (PI: Bettina Siebers)
Study of the microbiological effect of silver nanoparticles and silver doped CaP nanoparticels. Synthesis, characterization and biological effects. .................................... 21 (PI: Bettina Siebers)
Hot biofilms: Biofilm formation and EPS synthesis of the thermoacidophilic Archaeon
Sulfolobus acidocaldarius ............................................................................................................. 22 (PI: Bettina Siebers)
Signal transduction in Sulfolobus species – investigation of the phospho-proteome and characterization of protein kinases and protein phosphatases with focus of the central carbohydrate metabolism ................................................................................................ 23 (PI: Bettina Siebers)
Trehalose as stress response in (hyper-)thermophilic Archaea ......................................... 24 (PI: Bettina Siebers)
Functional analysis of multiple general transcription factors in the crenarchaeal model organism Sulfolobus acidocaldarius .......................................................................................... 25 (PI: Bettina Siebers)
Bachelor Theses accomplished within or supervised by the Biofilm Centre ..... 26
Master Theses accomplished within or supervised by the Biofilm Centre .......... 29
Publications of Biofilm Centre in 2010/2011 ...................................................................... 30
Invited Lectures.............................................................................................................................. 33
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Biofilm Centre Staff
Birgit Manger Secretary Andrea Mollenhauer Secretary Aquatic Microbiology Hans-Curt Flemming Head Jost Wingender Head of laboratory,
Leader of “Research Group Pathogens in Biofilms” Barbara Alfer Ph. D. student Giacomo Bertini Ph. D. student Astrid Dannehl Technician Zenyta Dwidjosiswojo Ph. D. student Jan Frösler Ph. D. student Heike Petry-Hansen Postdoc Marina Horstkott Ph. D. student Witold Michalsowski Ph. D. student Alexa Pillen Ph. D. student Conny Rosengarten Technician Miriam Tewes Ph. D. student Janine Wagner Ph. D. student Aquatic Biotechnology Wolfgang Sand Head Tilman Gehrke Head of laboratory Cindy-Jade Africa Ph. D. student Sören Bellenberg Ph. D. student Iaryna Datsenko Ph. D. student Igor Felschau Ph. D. student Bianca Florian Ph. D. student David Holuscha Ph. D. student Beate Krok Ph. D. student Andrzej Kuklinski Ph. D. student Nanni Noel Ph. D. student Jürgen Schrötz Ph. D. student Christian Thyssen Ph. D. student Petra Wahl Technician Agata Wikiel Ph. D. student Mario Vera Postdoc Rujong Zhang Ph. D. student
Molecular Enzyme Technology & Biochemistry
Bettina Siebers Head Christopher Bräsen Head of laboratory Dieter Braun Ph. D. student Sabine Dietl Technician Dominik Esser Ph. D. student Anna Hagemann Ph. D. student Patrick Haferkamp Ph. D. student Silke Jachlewski Ph. D. student Julia Kort Ph. D. student Theresa Kouril Ph. D. student Kohei Matsubara Ph. D. student Bernadette Rauch Ph. D. student
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Recognition and countermeasures to transiently non-culturable pathogens in drinking water installations
Collaborative Project - Project Partners: University of Duisburg-Essen, University of Bonn, Technical University of Hamburg-Harburg, DVGW, Technical University of Berlin, IWW Water Centre Coordination: Prof. Dr. Hans-Curt Flemming Funded by: Federal Ministry of Education and Research Project period: 01.09.2010 until 31.08.2013 Homepage: www.biofilm-management.de Bacteria can enter a viable but non-culturable (VBNC) state as a response to various stress-es. Potential pathogens that present a health hazard when occurring in building plumbing systems can enter the VBNC state and are thus not detectable by culture-based methods routinely employed for monitoring drinking water quality. The hygienic relevance of VBNC bacteria in water and biofilms of plumbing systems has still to be evaluated.
The overall focus of this joint project is to create a profound knowledge of the viable but non-culturable state in hygienic relevant drinking water bacteria. This includes the selection of methods for the detection and for further investigations of the physiological states and the cytotoxicity of VBNC bacteria. The efficiency of disinfection and sanitation as well as the role and relevance of the VBNC bacteria are to be investigated in order to create new basic prin-ciples for recognising and dealing with contamination problems in drinking water installations.
Project of Biofilm Centre within the consortium: How do hygienically relevant micro-organisms enter the VBNC state, how do they become culturable again and how viru-lent are they then? Copper plumbing materials can be the source of copper ions in drinking water supplies. It can be expected that P. aeruginosa may occur in the VBNC state in copper plumbing sys-tems and thus not detectable by culture-based methods routinely employed for monitoring drinking water quality.
Aims of the project is to investigate the basic mechanisms underlying the copper-induced VBNC state in P. aeruginosa and L. pneumophila and to identify possible factors that can lead to resuscitation of VBNC bacteria under conditions relevant to building plumbing sys-tems. In cooperation with the IWW Water Centre the cytotoxicity of culturable and VBNC bacteria is investigated.
Person in charge: Zenyta Dwidjosiswojo,M.Sc.
[email protected] www.biofilm-management.de Phone: 0049 (0) 201-1836613
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Nanosilver particles - mechanisms of action and study of possible interaction with tissue, cells and molecules. Definition of their relevant potential for intolerance.
Collaborative Project - Project Partners: aap Biomaterials GmbH, EXcorLab GmbH, Justus Liebig Universität Gießen, rent a scientist GmbH Coordination: C. Sattig, aap Biomaterials GmbH Funded by: Federal Ministry of Education and Research Project period: 01.10.2010 until 30.09.2013 Homepage: www.nanosilver-project.info The toxic effect of silver has been known for a long time. With increasing resistance of mi-croorganisms against antibiotics, the use of silver has gained interest in medical applications. Nanomaterials such as nanosilver can have new and different characteristics in contrast to the bulk material. Until today little is known about possible side effects of nanomaterials to-wards humans. Substances that are categorised as well-tolerated can exhibit toxic side ef-fects, if they are present as nanomaterial. Aim of this study is to investigate possible con-cerns are associated with nanosilver referring to long-term effects in humans as well as pos-sible silver resistance of pathogens.
Project of Biofilm Centre within the consortium: Antimicrobial effect of nanosilver and possible generation of microbial resistance Aim of this study is to obtain information about the efficiency of nanosilver against clinically relevant bacteria in order to evaluate application spectra and limitations. In order to allocate the effects, it is necessary to differentiate between the efficiency of nanosilver and silver ions.
Microorganisms possess resistance mechanisms against silver in order to remain metabolic activity and the ability to proliferate. It is known that mechanisms responsible for heavy metal resistance also may be responsible for antibiotic resistance. Therefore the potential of silver and antibiotic resistance will be analyzed.
Furthermore, the response of microorganisms to silver stress may be the transition into a viable-but-nonculturable (VBNC) state, but possibly can resuscitate and regain infectivity. In this state, they are not found with culture-dependent methods usually used for their detec-tion. Culture-independent methods will be employed to detect the target cells in their VBNC state, and using cell cultures, the infectious potential will be investigated.
Person in charge: Alexa Pillen, M.Sc.
Email: [email protected] Transmission Electron Micrograph of Phone: 0049 (0) 201-1836604 Silver Nanoparticles
20 nm
4
Microbial ochering in technical systems
Collaborative Project - Project Partners: TU Berlin, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, HTW Dresden, Berlin Centre of Competence for Water, Berliner Wasserbetriebe, Institute for Scientific Photography, Hammann GmbH, ARCADIS Deutschland GmbH, AUCOTEAM GmbH, KSB Aktiengesellschaft, RWE Power AG, VATTENFALL Europe Mining AG Funded by: Federal Ministry of Education and Research Project period: 01.02.2011 until 31.01.2014 Homepage: www.anti-ocker.de In water-bearing technical systems, particularly in wells or pipe networks, microbial influence may cause the formation of clogging materials. These precipitates negatively affect the per-formance of wells by blocking the screens and the pump. The aim of the project is to gain a better understanding of the process of microbial clogging and to develop new techniques to prevent or dissolve the incrustations. Contribution of Biofilm Centre to the consortium: Integration, persistence and abate-ment of hygienically relevant bacteria in iron oxide incrustations in wells Groundwater can become contaminated by hygienically relevant microorganisms, e. g. in consequence of heavy rainstorms, flooding of wells or hydraulic short circuits between sur-face water and groundwater. In case of an entry of hygienically relevant microorganisms into the aquifer, these microorganisms can reach drinking-water wells. If incrustations like oxides or oxyhydroxides of Fe(III), which represent the most common incrustation type in Germany, exist in the water well, the microorganisms encounter a very large and porous surface. Aim of the project is to answer the following questions
If incrustations exist in a drinking-water well, can this matrix function as a habitat? Could hygienically relevant microorganisms integrate in these precipitates? Do they persist or grow there?
If so, how can these microorganisms be eliminated most efficiently and lasting?
Incrustation samples from water wells affected by clogging are analysed for hygienically rele-vant microorganisms by culturing as well as culture-independent methods (FISH, PCR-based methods). The integration, persistence and possible growth of target organisms (E. coli, in-testinal enterococci, coliform bacteria, Legionella pneumophila, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Aeromonas spp.) will be tested in laboratory systems by spiking of iron oxide incrustations with these organisms. The effectiveness of sanitation processes, especially using hydrogen peroxide, will be investigated. Person in charge: Barbara Alfer, M.Sc.
Email: [email protected] SEM of an ochreous deposit from Phone: 0049 (0) 201-1834281 a water well
5
Dynaklim (“Dynamic adaptation of regional planning and developmental processes to the impact of climate change in the Emscher-Lippe region (Ruhrgebiet)”)
Collaborative Project - Project Partners: IWW Water Centre Funded by: Federal Ministry of Education and Research Homepage: www.dynaklim.de Focus of the dynaklim project is, amongst others, to predict climate change and its effect on water quality, water availability and the utilization of water in this region. Based on a coopera-tion of various partners in this project (over 40 network partners from fields of politics, sci-ence, economy, civil initiatives, etc.) a roadmap 2020 will be developed, describing an adap-tation strategy according to the predicted climate change. dynaklim can therefore be seen as a national and international path breaking model project for climate adaptation of densely populated areas.
Contribution of Biofilm Centre to the consortium: Influence of temperature on hygieni-cally relevant microorganisms in drinking water biofilms.
This project is carried out in close collaboration with the IWW Water Centre (Mülheim/Ruhr). In laboratory experiments the integration and persistence of hygienically relevant bacteria into drinking water biofilms grown on different materials (EPDM, PE80, stainless steel) at different temperatures (8 °C - 29 °C) is examined by means of conventional cultural methods and culture independent methods to detect also those bacteria being present in a viable but nonculturable state (VBNC). Population analysis of the biofilms will be done with denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). In addition, field experiments will be performed in a public drinking water distribution system.
Person in charge: Janine Wagner, M.Sc.
Email: [email protected] Field exposure of stainless steel coupon Phone: 0049 (0) 201/183-6612 holders (upper pipe) in an operating drink-
ing water system
6
BOSS – Biofilm Organisms Surfing Space.
Collaborative Project - Project Partners: DLR Cologne (Germany), CEPSAR (UK), Univer-sity of Rome (Italy), University of Salzburg (Austria) Coordination: Dr. Petra Rettberg, DLR Cologne Funded by: Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology Project period: 01.05.2011 until 30.04.2014 The core hypothesis of the project ‘BOSS’ is the assumption that biofilm-forming organisms embedded within self-developed extracellular polymeric substances (EPS matrix) are more resistant to environmental stressors as they exist in space and on Mars compared to their EPS-free planktonic counterparts. Various test organisms such as extremophilic bacteria will be subjected to the environmental conditions as they exist in space and on Mars. Ground experiments simulating these conditions will be carried out within the facilities of the German Aerospace Center DLR, Cologne. A flight experiment in the EXPOSE-R2 facility located on the International Space Station will allow for studying the effects of long-term ex-posure (6-12 months) of the organisms to authentic space and simulated martian conditions. After exposure the samples will be analysed for survival. Contribution of Biofilm Centre to the consortium: Investigation of biofilms from Dein-ococcus geothermalis in terms of EPS production and resistance to desiccation and Mars-simulated conditions This project investigates the influence of the biofilm matrix on the survival of Deinococcus geothermalis after exposure to space and martian conditions. Samples of D. geothermalis for flight and ground experiments are prepared and later on analysed at the Biofilm Centre.
Independently, the effects of long-term desiccation on the viability of planktonic and biofilm cells are studied using cultural and fluorescence-microscopic techniques. In order to be able to identify possible EPS-mediated resistance mechanisms, EPS from biofilms grown on membrane filters are isolated using various techniques and characterised in terms of their composition (proteins, carbohydrates, DNA).
Person in charge: Jan Frösler, M.Sc.
Email: [email protected] Phone: 0049 (0) 201-1836613
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Proteins, polysaccharides and nucleic acids as components of the extracellular poly-meric substances of drinking-water biofilms Financial support: Max Buchner Research Foundation Project period: 01.02.2008 until 31.12.2012
Project description
Biofilms are ubiquitous on surfaces in drinking-water distribution systems, where they can act as a reservoir for pathogenic microorganisms, posing a potential threat to human health. Ex-tracellular polymeric substances (EPS) are major components of microbial biofilms. They form the extracellular matrix of biofilms, mediate the mechanical stability of biofilms and af-ford protection for biofilm organisms against disinfectants like chlorine.
For prevention and control of biofilm formation, knowledge of the quantity and composition of the EPS is essential, since EPS are important targets for measures aimed at the inactivation and removal of biofilm organisms. The aim of this study is a characterization of drinking-water biofilms and their EPS on microbiological, molecularbiological and biochemical level. A miniaturized method based on the cation exchange resin Dowex was established for the iso-lation of EPS from drinking-water biofilms. The composition of the EPS was determined by analyzing for carbohydrates, proteins and DNA as characteristic components of microbial EPS. Proteins were further studied by gel electrophoretical means and by enzyme activity measurements. The population diversity was studied by Denaturing Gradient Gel Electorpho-resis (DGGE).
Person in charge: Witold Michalowski, M.Sc.
Email: [email protected] Two-dimensional gel of EPS proteins Phone: 0049 (0) 201-1836605 of a 14 d-old drinking-water biofilm
8
Freshwater plankton as a habitat for hygienically relevant microorganisms
Funded by: DFG (German Research Foundation) Project period: 01/2009 until 01/2013 Collaboration: NRF-funded project: “Plankton as a vector for hygienically relevant bacteria in eutrophic waters”; Prof. Dr. T. E. Cloete, University of Stellenbosch, South Africa
Plankton in surface waters provides a large surface which can be colonized by biofilms. The-se can harbour hygienically relevant microorganisms which can be transported by plankton organisms as vectors. This has been shown for Vibrio species, but much less is known about other organisms and for freshwater, while first results indicate a similar situation. Further-more, the organisms can enter a viable but non culturable (VBNC) state and will not be de-tected by conventional culture methods. This poses a hygienic risk when the water is used for drinking water production and/or for recreational purposes. In this project, colonization of both (living and dead) locally typical phytoplankton and zooplankton by target organisms will be investigated in a mesotrophic lake (Baldeneysee, Essen/Germany). Defined spatio-temporal sampling with sampling points according to possible input sites and events of target bacteria will be performed. Target organisms are fecal indicators (E. coli, enterococci, C. perfringens) and pathogens (Campylobacter spp., P. aeruginosa, Legionella spp. and Aer-omonas spp.)
Particular attention is payed to the VBNC state because this is a physiological state in which such microorganisms evade the standard detection by cultural methods. The use of molecu-lar biological methods will reveal the “grey number” of hygienically relevant organisms pre-sent but not recognized. Viability will be determined by cultivation as well as by direct viable count, membrane integrity determination, FISH and real-time PCR. Results of this project will be put into perspective of relevance for public health considering drinking water production and recreational water quality and contribute to risk assessment.
Person in charge: Miriam Tewes, M.Sc.
Email: [email protected] SEM micrograph of contaminated Daphnia Phone: 0049 (0) 201/183-6612 magna
9
Advanced Technologies for Water Resource Management (ATWARM) Marie-Curie project
Collaborative Project - Project Partners: QUESTOR centre (UK), ATWARM, University of Duisburg-Essen, Queen’s University Belfast (UK), Cranfield University(UK), IWW Water Centre, Industrial partners: NI Water (UK), T.E. Laboratories Ltd (Ireland). Coordinator: Prof. Mike Larkin, Queens University, Belfast Homepage: http://www.atwarm.com
Contribution of Biofilm Centre and Institute of Analytical Chemistry to the consortium within the project: Priority substances in activated sludge: Incidence, accumulation, source tracking emitter identification & prevention strategies
This project is aimed at finding innovative applications of microbial wastewater biofilms. Due to their ability to interact with many organic and inorganic pollutants, the waste water microbial biofilms potentially represent a useful tool in order to trace pollution processes in waste water piping systems and to prevent pollution events. Biofilms can absorb certain pollutants and after a certain period of time release them back into the environment- The main part of the project is to study the sorption kinetics that preside the processes of absorption and desorption of pollutants from the biofilm matrix, firstly using artificial biofilm- gels and then, of course, testing the real biofilms present in the waste water system.
The main pollutant taken as a reference compound in this research project is phenanthrene, one of the most studied PAH compounds (Poly Aromatic Hydrocarbons). During the first part of the project the aim will be to study the absorption and desorption processes of phenan-threne in a biofilm-like gel matrix.
This project will provide a first understanding of phenanthrene sorption processes by micro-bial biofilm matrices. The knowledge gained will permit tracing sources of phenanthrene pol-lution and other contaminants in waste water systems and counteracting pollution events upstream from the wastewater treatment plants. As soon as it is known how and for how long waste water biofilms are able to keep the pollu-tants within their matrix, the pollution activity can be addressed.
Person in charge: Giacomo Bertini, M.Sc.
Email: [email protected] Lab-scale pipeline system with removable biofilm Phone: 0049 (0) 17652356737 carriers used to study the interaction of biofilms and pollutants
10
Membrane biofouling: permeability of biofilms
Funded by: Wetsus, centre of excellence for sustainable water technology Project period: 01.04.2009 until 01.04.2013 Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Hans-Curt Flemming and Dr. Hans Vrouwenvelder Homepage: www.wetsus.nl/pageid=22/Biofouling.html Membrane filtration is one of the most common procedures for effective water production and can be used in many different processes such as drinking water production and waste water treatment. These filtration systems suffer from performance losses due to fouling which may have different sources like scaling, organic fouling, particle fouling or biofouling. Biofouling is a big issue in membrane filtration systems because it is caused by bacterial cells which, once attached to the membrane, form biofilms.
Biofilms consists of bacterial cells embedded in a highly hydrated matrix of extracellular pol-ymeric substances (EPS).The biofilm permeability is influenced by the operating conditions of the system, such as cross and permeate flow velocity and nutrient availability.
These studies are performed with microfiltration membranes (0.05 µm pore size) to rule out the effect of concentration polarization and permit the study of pure biofilm permeability.
A lab scale crossflow filtration system consisting of four flow cells is operated under various conditions: different cross and permeate flow velocities as well as feed water supplemented with different substrate types and concentrations. The obtained biofilms are analyzed for several parameters such as total cell number, protein and polysaccharide concentration, total organic carbon and thickness.
The aim of this study is to investigate the contributing factor for high and low biofilm permea-bility and its impact on different filtration systems.
Person in charge: Claudia Dreszer, M.Sc.
[email protected] Scanning electron micrograph of a microfiltration Phone: 0031 (0) 582843183 membrane covered with biofilm
11
Biogenic sulfuric acid corrosion of different materials
Collaborative Project - Project Partners: Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology UMSICHT in Oberhausen Biogenic sulfuric acid corrosion is a chemical attack to surfaces of different materials such as concrete, iron and polymers. It is caused by sulfuric acid producing bacteria from the genus Thiobacillus. It mainly occurres in waste water systems, where sulfur compounds are de-graded by microorganisms. Gaseous sulfur compounds are released and accumulate in the head space. Chemical oxidation of H2S to elemental sulfur and the following biological oxida-tion via thiosulfate and other polythionates cause a decrease of pH (<7). The reduced sulfur compounds are oxidized to sulfuric acid, resulting in suitable conditions for growths of thio-bacilli (T. neapolitanus, T. intermedia) which further decrease the pH. Below pH 5.5 A. thi-ooxidans colonizes the surface. Between pH 2.0-3.0 this organism will find optimal growth conditions. Result is a successive colonization of surfaces by different thiobacilli. Sulfuric acid is produced as a metabolite of these organisms causing an attack on different materials. Aim of this study is the optimization and further development of different materials against biogenic sulfuric acid corrosion
Contribution of Biofilm Centre to the consortium: Microbiological and analytical inves-tigation of materials, which were stored in the simulation plant at Fraunhofer Institute
In cooperation with Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology –UMSICHT- in Oberhausen a simulation plant was developed and the effect of biogenic sulfu-ric acid corrosion on different materials is tested. The plant is located at the Fraunhofer Insti-tute, microbiological analyses are performed in the lab of the Aquatic Biotechnology, Univer-sität Duisburg-Essen. All samples are investigated using analytical as well as microbiological techniques. Microbiological analyses include different organisms like acidophilic and neutro-philic iron- and sulfur oxidizers, sulfate reducing bacteria, nitrite oxidizers, fungi, chemoor-ganotrophic bacteria, loss of substance and more.
Person in charge: Nanni Noël
[email protected] Phone: 0049 (0) 201-1837085
Nach: Bock, E.; Sand, W.; Pohl, A.: Bedeutung der Mikroorganismen bei der Korrosion von Abwas-serkanälen, TIS Tiefbau- Ingenieurbau- Straßenwesen, Sonderdruck zum 4. Statusseminar “Bau-forschung- Technki“, 1983, S. 47-49
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Iron- and sulfur- oxidizing microorganisms in the Lusatian- and Central German lignite mining districts
Originaltitel: Eisen- und Schwefel-oxidierende Mikroorganismen im Lausitzer und Mitteldeut-schen Braunkohlerevier
Collaborative Project - Project Partners: Hochschule Lausitz (FH) University of Applied Science; Universität Duisburg Essen, GMB GmbH; MIBRAG mbH; Vattenfall Europe Mining AG Persons in charge: Bianca Florian, MSc; Sören Bellenberg, MSc; Prof. Dr. W. Sand Project Funding: GMB mbH, MIBRAG AG, Vattenfall Europe Mining AG Project period: 01.01.2008 until 31.12.2011 Bioleaching, the dissolution of metal sulfides such as pyrite and chalcopyrite, occurs by mi-
crobial activity. Leaching processes are used for the winning of metals such as copper, gold,
cobalt, nickel or zink. On the other hand bioleaching causes acid mine drainage (AMD)/ acid
rock drainage (ARD) as a natural process. Wherever metal sulfides are exposed to oxygen
and water, as it occurs when iron sulfide enclosures in coal are made accessible for leaching
bacteria during mining, these bacteria find a suitable habitat. It has been found that attach-
ment of leaching bacteria to the mineral surfaces enhances the process of metal sulfide dis-
solution and AMD/ARD generation. Therefore, in this study we quantify and visualize the
initial colonization and biofilm formation of leaching microorganisms on sulfide minerals. Bio-
films are visualized by epi-fluorescence microscopy (EFM) using DAPI, SytoTM9, FISH, lectin-
and calcofluor- staining. Additionally, atomic force microscopy (AFM) is used for the investi-
gation on cell morphology, spatial arrangement of cells on pyrite and mineral surface topog-
raphy. The ensuing work is concerned with inhibition measures in order to reduce AMD/ARD
as much as possible. Leaching-inhibition with several detergents is tested in column experi-
ments with material from lignite mining areas, where AMD/ARD takes place. Microcalorimetry
and chemical monitoring of metal sulfide dissolution products is used to determine metabolic
activity of leaching bacteria.
Persons in charge:
+
2.5 µm
Bianca Florian, MSc [email protected] Tel: 0049 (0) 201 183 7085
Biofilm on a pyrite surface visualized with combined atomic force and epifluorescence microscopy
Column reactor Sören Bellenberg, MSc
[email protected] Tel: 0049 (0) 201 183 7084
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Microcalorimetry – a Measuring Technique for the Detection of Biomining
Funded by: Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources Project period: 01.10.2010 until 31.12.2014 Collaborative Project - Project Partners: Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources & Universität Duisburg-Essen, Biofilm Centre, Aquatic Biotechnology The demand (price) of metals especially copper is increasing since many years. The mining techniques for the recovery of metals are cost intensive and environmentally harmful. High grade ore deposits are running off and low grade ores as well as recycling of metals have to be considered as resources. Biomining is an environmentally friendly, cheap and simple mining technique. Microorgan-isms are solubilizing minerals from their ores. Since more than 40 years biomining is eco-nomical used for the recovery of metals from low grade ores to win metals like copper, nickel and uranium. Contribution of Biofilm Centre to the consortium: Development of a microcalorimetric measuring technique for biomining Aim of this study is the development of a measuring technique for the quantification of bio-mining of three different copper sulfides (Chalcopyrite, Chalcocite, Covellite). Microcalorimetry is a non-invasive, non-destructive analytical technique, which provides in-formation about the metabolic activity of microorganisms. In combination with analytical techniques, which can track the chemical products produced during the bioleaching process, the bioleaching efficiency may be quantified and predicted. The copper sulfides will be leached with microorganisms in different temperature ranges. Microcalorimetric measurements will be performed to investigate the microbial activity and Atomabsorptionspectroscopy, High-Pressure Liquid Chromatography, Ion Chromatography and UV/VIS Photometry will be performed to analyze the reaction products copper, sulfur, sulfate & thiosulfate and iron. Person in charge: Beate Krok For efficient bioleaching, the attachment of microorga- [email protected] nisms to the ore is required. The attachment is mediated 0049 (0) 201 183 7089 through the extracellular polymeric substances (EPS)
layer produced by microorganisms. The EPS plays also a crucial role as reaction space for the bioleaching process. To investigate the interactions of microorganisms with mineral grains, the combination of Atomic Force with Epifluorescence Microscopy will be used. Furthermore, the microcalorimetric measuring techniques will be verified by samples from copper deposits.
TAM Microcalorimeter
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Process engineering and microbiological optimization of biofiltration systems in aq-uaculture plants
Collaborative Project - Project Partners: LimnoMar Hamburg, GEA 2H Water Technolo-gies GmbH, GMA Gesellschaft für Marine Aquakultur mbH, Kunststoff Spranger GmbH, Bio-zentrum Klein Flottbek Universität Hamburg AG Spieck Sponsorship: Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt (DBU) Project Phase 2: August 2008 to May 2010 Project Phase 3: June 2010 to July 2012
The overfishing of the oceans causes growing interest in aquaculture plants worldwide. In contrast to net cages, recirculating mariculture systems preserve the resources, as the water is recycled with a biological purification. So far, there have been only a few studies of micro-biological analyses of the biofiltration process in aquaculture plants, so that the development requirement in this field is very high.As part of the project-phase 2, our group investigated the initial attachment of marine nitrifyers to plastic foils of different composition.
The BioMAT™ Workstation from JPK Instruments (atomic force microscope (AFM) coupled with epifluorescence microscope (EFM)) was used for the visualization of attachment.
In project-phase 3, the evaluation of biocarriers with different composition for use in biofilters of marine aquaculture plants takes place. In this phase surface analysis of the different com-positions of carriers and analysis of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) for the biofilm formation of marine nitrifyers on carriers will be done. Furthermore, different types of carriers will be tested with a bioreactor (volume of 135 liter and parameters controlled by online-monitoring).
Person in charge: Jürgen Schrötz
Email: [email protected] EFM & AFM image of an enrichment culture of Phone: 0049 (0) 201-1837076 nitrite oxidizing bacteria from the Ecomares farm
in Büsum: (A) Ntspa-712 Sonde: target organism are the members of the phylum Nitrospira;(B) DAPI stained cells; (C) AFM image in intermittant contact mode
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Investigation of interfacial microbial-metal sulfide interactions in a simulated heap bioleach environment
International Collaborative Venture Project Partners: Prof. Dr. Susan T. L. Harrison (Director Centre of Bioprocess Engineering Research, Chemical Engineering Department, University of Cape town, South Africa) Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Sand (Biofilm Centre, Aquatic Biotechnology, University Duisburg-Essen) Project Period: 01.01.2010 – 30.06.2013 Funded by: Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst (DAAD)
Synopsis
Biomining is an application of biotechnology, which exploits the metabolic activity of naturally occurring iron and sulfur oxidising microorganisms in an acidic medium for the recovery of metals from minerals. The mineral dissolution of metal-sulfides involves a chemical oxidant (ferric iron) which attacks the mineral matrix, liberating metal ions. The metabolic activity of the microorganisms involved facilitates continuity of the bioleach process through regenera-tion of the chemical oxidants. Successful microbial attachment and colonisation of metal-sulfide mineral surfaces is critical in ensuring the proliferation of microorganisms and im-proved heap leach efficiency. Uncontrolled microbial leach activity can have negative envi-ronmental impacts through the generation of acidity and heavy metal toxicity as is the case with acid mine drainage (AMD). Increasing our understanding of microbial-metal sulfide inter-facial processes will allow identification of potential limitations to heap design and process operation with regards to the microbiological aspects. Current methodologies used to study microbial-metal sulfide interfacial interactions are limited in their representation of microbial attachment under heap leach conditions with respect to microbial-mineral contacting and fluid-flow dynamics. These studies have also been limited to using pure mesophilic microbial cultures, pure sulfide minerals as well as mesophilic temperature regimes. The use of a nov-el in situ method in this study will make use of heap simulated conditions by encompassing the use of low-grade ores, mixed microbial consortia, the use of thermophilic microorganisms and operation under conditions of continuous fluid-flow.
Statement of aims and scope of research interests The aim of this study is to provide a thorough investigation into microbial-metal sulfide inter-facial interactions in heap bioleach conditions (in situ). The approach used will make use of simulated heap conditions and provide fundamental knowledge on the factors contributing to microbial adhesion to, and colonisation of, pure and low-grade sulfide mineral surfaces, as well as spatial and temporal changes in attachment behavioural trends and microbial suc-cession in response to varying physicochemical conditions. This provides innovative re-search, a more representative indication of microbial–metal sulfide interfacial interactions in heap leach environments, having relevant applications to industry and the environment.
Person in charge, PhD Candidate: Cindy-Jade Africa (MSc)
Email: [email protected]
Visualisation of A. ferrooxidans and L. ferriphilum attachment to low-grade chalcopyrite ore using fluorescent in situ hybridisation (FISH)
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Biobasierter Korrosionsschutz für Metallwerkstoffe durch Analoga von mikrobiellen Exopolymeren aus nachwachsenden Rohstoffen.
(Bio-derived corrosion protection for metallic materials by analogues of microbial ex-opolymeric substances from renewable resources)
Collaborative Project - Project Partners: DECHEMA Gesellschaft für Chemische Technik und Biotechnologie e. V. (Society for Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology) Funded by: BMWi – Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Technology (Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology) via the AiF – Allianz Industrie Forschung (Alliance Industry Re-search), IGF project no. ZN04204-10 Period: 01.02.2011 – 31.07.2013 Microbial biofilms and bacterial extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) can both proliferate and inhibit corrosion. The first is denoted as microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC), the latter as microbiologically influenced corrosion inhibition (MICI). Both effects are influenced by the interactions between the EPS matrix and the construction material itself, with the EPS’ chemical composition determining its detrimental or beneficial nature. Comparable to classi-cal interfacial corrosion inhibitors, specific functional groups of the EPS are crucial for EPS-surface interactions and thus facilitation of cell adhesion.
Aim of this project is to use EPS-analogue substances for reducing MIC and abiotic corrosion as well as biofilm formation on metals by blocking electrochemical “active sites“. This mask-ing should prevent bacterial chemotaxis to (iron) ions and thus further reduce attachment of detrimental microbes to these sites. Contribution of Biofilm Centre within the project: Extraction and analysis of EPS, MIC simulation and visualization of the metal-coating-bacteria interfaces
Within this project, the Aquatic Biotechnology is responsible for growing biofilms of detri-mental and beneficial microorganisms as well as extraction and analysis of their EPS. Addi-tionally, MIC-simulations with sulfate-reducing bacteria and other detrimental organisms were set-up to test selected coatings under realistic conditions, including a novel simulation sys-tem for corrosion by Mn-oxidising bacteria. Both biofilm formation and corrosion rates of the materials are assessed. Furthermore, the biodegradability of selected substances against various microbial organisms is investigated. Finally, the influence of surfaces, bacteria and coatings on each other is studied using state-of-the art visualization techniques such as combined epifluorescence and Kelvin probe force microscopy (EFM-KPFM).
Persons in charge:
Andrzej Kuklinski Christian Thyssen Partially cyclodextrin coated steel [email protected] christian.thyssen@uni-due A, EFM image showing the fluorescently 0049 (0) 201-183-7082 0049 (0) 201-183-7075 labelled cyclodextrin (top); B, potential Map of boundary region (KPFM)
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Physiological and Molecular processes involved in Biofilm formation in Bioleaching bacteria
Persons in charge: Dr. Mario Vera, MSc. Sören Bellenberg,Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Sand Collaborative Project - Project Partners: Dr. Nicolas Guiliani. Laboratorio de Comunicacion Bacteriana. Universidad de Chile. Dr. Ansgar Poetsch, Plant Biochemistry, Ruhr Universität Bochum Funded by: Universität Duisburg-Essen. Programm zur Förderung des wissenschaftli-chen Nachwuchses
Biomining is an industrial process in which leaching bacteria such as Acidithiobacillus,
Leptospirillum and Sulfobacillus are used for recovering valuable metals, such as copper, nickel, uranium or gold from sulfidic ores, accounting for more than 10% of the total world copper production. Bacterial attachment increases leaching activities due to the formation of a "reaction space" between the metal sulfide surface and the cell.
Bacteria are able to communicate by producing and secreting a diverse set of small mol-ecules called autoinducers in a process called “Quorum sensing” (QS) regulating several population density-dependent cellular behaviors, such as virulence, conjugation, transfor-mation, and biofilm formation. Our research is intended to contribute to the elucidation of the physiological and molecular processes involved in the biofilm formation of acidophilic leach-ing bacteria with emphasis in their cell-cell communication mechanisms.
Microscopy studies: By using AFM, EFM and CLSM, we are imaging different polysaccharide moieties of the EPS by using fluorescently labeled lectins, following the dynamics of biofilm formation processes and the transition from planktonic to a biofilm lifestyle. The influence of the external addition of synthetic QS molecules and different media supplementations on these processes is also of interest (In collaboration with Dr. Nicolas Guilian, Universidad de Chile).
Molecular biology and bioinformatics studies: We are using the current genome sequences from Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans, At. caldus, At. ferrivorans and At. thiooxidans, searching for genes potentially encoding EPS related proteins and trying to predict their roles on EPS formation and Biofilm formation.
High throughput proteomic studies of At. ferrooxidans biofilm formation process (In collabora-tion with Dr. Ansgar Poetsch, Plant Biochemistry, Ruhr Universität, Bochum). We are com-paring full proteomes of At. ferrooxidans planktonic and biofilm cells after 24 h of Biofilm for-mation on pyrite in order to elucidate the changes. In the future, our research in collaboration will focus in the high troughput analysis and comparison of EPS proteomes from different leaching bacteria.
Dr. Mario Vera [email protected] Phone: 0049 (0) 201-1837084
[email protected] Phone:0049 (0) 201-1837084
MSc Sören Bellenberg The addition of AHLs stimulates At. ferrooxidans biofilm formation on pyrite (FeS2). Control coupons (A) and AHL supplemented ones (B) were imaged by AFM/EFM after 3 (1) and 6 (2) days of biofilm formation.
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BIOCOR ITN Initial Training Network on biocorrosion
Collaborative Project - Project Partners: The project involves 12 research teams and 4 associated partners from 9 different EU countries, from both academic and industrial sectors
Funded by: EU Seventh Framework Programme "People"
Project period: 1.09.2009 – 1.09.2013
Homepage: www.biocor.eu
It is now recognised that microbial biofilms significantly influence the kinetics of corrosion processes by altering the interfacial chemistry between the colonised material and the bulk fluid. This biofilm-influenced deterioration of materials is referred to as Microbially Influenced Corrosion (MIC) or, more commonly, as biocorrosion. Although chemical (abiotic) corrosion processes have been widely studied and well under-stood, this is not the case for biocorrosion, which requires expertise not only in chemistry, electrochemistry and material sciences but also in live and biological sciences. Several Eu-ropean research teams are studying biocorrosion, however there is a lack of harmonisation and collaboration due to the differences of approaches, disciplines and analytical methodolo-gies. The purpose of BIOCOR Initial Training Network (ITN) project is to provide the Europe-an Community with new multidisciplinary expertise in the area of biocorrosion in order to de-velop more efficient knowledge-based solutions for the industry.
Contribution of Biofilm Centre within the project: The role of EPS in biocorrosion initi-ation or inhibition, Individual Project No. 4
Systems for handling stabilised oil like equipment for top side oil export systems, oil transport and processing plants, mostly made of carbon steel, are subjected to high levels of biocorro-sion. This results in extensive and costly damages for the equipment, including additional production losses due to the shutting down of the transport and production units for several weeks. It is most important to better handle biocorrosion during the injection operations to reduce costs and for safety & environmental reasons. For these purposes it is necessary to develop more knowledge about biocorrosion formation, initial monitoring and mitigation. The following objectives were set:
To study biofilm formation and to characterize EPS with focus on corrosion of relevant industrial surfaces.
To set up microbial induced corrosion (MIC) tests in the laboratory. Electrochemistry.
To isolate different strains of microorganisms from industrial samples and validate of their influence in MIC.
To develop strategies and methods for reduction of MIC.
Persons in charge:
M.Sc. Agata Wikiel
Tel: 0049 (0) 201 183 7083
M. Sc. Iaryna Datsenko
Tel: 0049 (0) 201 183 7083
Biocoupons for corrosion monitoring
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HotZyme - Systematic screening for novel hydrolases from hot environments
Funded by: 7th framework program for research and technological development (FP7) of the European Union
Project period: 01.01.2012-31.12.2014 Collaborative Project - Project Partners: University of Copenhagen, MicroDish BV, Mon-tana State University, Stiftelsen Norges Geotekniske Institut, Winogradsky Institute of Micro-biology, Novozymes A/S, Wageningen University, Department ATV, University of Exeter, Sigma-Aldrich Production GmbH, Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche, National Technical University of Athens, European Centre for Research & Financing Homepage: http://hotzyme.com/ HotZyme is a large-scale integrating project (EU 7th Framework) on the systematic screening for novel hydrolases from hot environments coordinated by Prof. Xu Peng (University of Co-penhagen, Denmark). It recognizes that there is a strong need for new thermostable hydro-lases with appropriate performance and/or novel functionalities that could provide huge sav-ings in time, money and energy for industrial processes. HotZyme aims to identify such enzymes from hot terrestrial environments using meta-genomic screening methods. New bioinformatics tools will be developed to facilitate function prediction of genes from metagenomes that show low or no sequence homology to enzymes of known function. A range of high-throughput screening technologies will be employed to identify novel hydrolases. Contribution of Biofilm Centre to the consortium: Biochemical characterization of novel enzymes Aim of this study is to understand the mechanism of action, substrate specificity and feasibil-ity of the use of selected hydrolase enzymes for relevant bio-processes. Therefore, directed by the industrial partners detailed biochemical characterization of selected novel catalysts are carried out to examine their stability and activity in response to temperature, organic sol-vents and pH. In addition, detailed kinetic analysis with relevant substrates will be performed. Furthermore, structural information will be used to produce mutant forms of selected enzymes to make them more suited to industrial applications. Person in charge: Theresa Kouril
Email: [email protected] Environmental sampling Phone : 0201-1837065 (HotZyme Newsletter 1)
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ExpresSYS - A Platform of Novel Microbial Expression Systems for Industrially Rele-vant Genes
Funded by: Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) Project period: 01.03.2010 until 28.02.2013 Collaborative Project - Project Partners: TU München, Heinrich-Heine Universität Düssel-dorf, MPI Marburg, Universität des Saarlandes, Universität Hamburg, TU Hamburg-Harburg, BRAIN AG, Evonik-Degussa, Henkel KGaA, Süd-Chemie, Wacker Chemie ExpresSYS is a collaborative project (coordinated by Wolfgang Liebl). Homepage: http://genomik-transfer.de/index.php?section=verbund&fkz=0315586 Contribution of Biofilm Centre to the consortium: A novel archaeal expression host: the thermoacidophilic Crenarchaeon Sulfolobus acidocal-darius Many archaeal species thrive in extreme habitats requiring effective adaptation and speciali-zation strategies. Their proteins, so called “extremozymes”, are active under harsh and unre-al conditions, which makes them very interesting for biotechnological applications. Unfortu-nately, the functional expression of many archaeal (hyper)thermophilic proteins in mesophilic expression hosts or even thermophilic bacterial hosts is limited. The missing archaeal post-translational machinery, as well as the misfolding of proteins at low temperature is supposed to be a major reason. Therefore, in current metagenomic approaches only a fraction of the tremendous diversity can be accessed due to the pre-selection introduced by the choice of common bacterial expression systems. Thus, there is an urgent need for the establishment of alternative expression hosts and including an archaeal expression host is an important contribution to unravel and to exploit the biodiversity available in extreme habitats.
Sulfolobus acidocaldarius is a well characterized thermoacidophilic, obligate aerobic Crenar-chaeon, that grows optimally at 78°C and pH 2-3. Most important, the organism is genetically tractable and a vector system for protein expression has been established.
This project is performed in close collaboration with Dr. Sonja-Verena Albers. One major aim is to further improve and develop the existing expression systems in S. acidocaldarius in or-der to provide a platform for the expression of (hyper)thermophilic or heat-stable archaeal proteins of biotechnological interest. Here, the main focus will be on archaeal (glu-co)amylases, which could previously not be expressed in common eukaryal and bacterial expression hosts. Furtheron, the archaeal expression system will be used for functional met-agenomics from thermophilic habitats and screening for esterase activity.
Person in charge: Julia Kort (M.Sc.)
Email: [email protected] Phone: 0201-183 7065
Electron microcroscopy picture of S. acidocaldarius (S.-V. Albers).
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Study of the microbiological effect of silver nanoparticles and silver doped CaP nano-particels. Synthesis, characterization and biological effects.
Funded by: Mercator Research Center (MERCUR) Project period: 01.03.2011 until 29.02.2012 Collaborative Project - Project Partners: Prof. M. Epple, Inorganic Chemistry and Center for Nanointegration, University Duisburg-Essen; Prof. M. Köller, Bergmannsheil University Hospital/Surgical Research, Ruhr-University of Bochum; Dr. H. Kuhn, Theoretical Chemistry, University Duisburg-Essen; Prof. H. Rehage, Physical Chemistry II, Technical University of Dortmund Silver-containing chemical materials are increasingly used in various areas (textile industry, medical equipment, cosmetics, etc.) as antimicrobial agent, although the biological effect of silver (colloidal silver, silver ions) is not fully understood. The motivation for this project is to comparatively investigate the antimicrobial effect of ionic silver, silver nanoparticles and silver doped calcium phosphate nanoparticles on eukaryal and bacterial cells.
Contribution of Biofilm-Centre to the consortium: Measurement of bacteriostatic and bactericidal effect of nanosilver and silver-doped nanoparticles. In order to study the silver effect on bacterial cells two model organisms E. coli (Siebers) and S. aureus (Köller) were chosen. To improve comparability to eukaryotic cells, the bacterial cells were grown in cell culture media (RPMI + FCS). The biological effect of the silver mate-rials is investigated by determination of the bacteriostatic and bactericidal concentrations of the respective compounds and the results are compared to those obtained for eukaryotic cell cultures (Köller). The aim is to analyze the therapeutic window for the application of nano-silver.
Person in charge: Dieter Braun
Email: [email protected] Scanning electron micrographs Phone: 0201-1837068 of silver ion-doped calcium phosphate nanoparticles. (A. Peetsch)
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Hot biofilms: Biofilm formation and EPS synthesis of the thermoacidophilic Archaeon Sulfolobus acidocaldarius
Funded by: University Duisburg-Essen Project period: October 2009 - Collaborative Project - Project Partners: Dr. Sonja-Verena Albers, Max-Planck-Institute for terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg, Germany; Prof. Christina Schäffer, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
Biofilms represent the common mode of life for more than 99 % of all bacteria in nature. Bac-
terial as well as eukaryotic biofilms and their extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) have
been intensively studied because of their ecological importance, application in biotechnology,
but also due to their potential role in human infections and function as environmental reser-
voirs for pathogens.
Members of the third domain of life, Archaea, have gained special research interest due to
their adaption to extreme environments. However, the study of biofilm formation and synthe-
sis of EPS in Archaea has been neglected so far.
The major aim of our study is to unravel biofilm formation as well as EPS synthesis and
composition in the model strain Sulfolobus acidocaldarius. S. acidocaldarius, a thermoaci-
dophilic, aerobic member of the Crenarchaeota, was first isolated from acid hot springs at
Yellowstone National Park in 1972. Optimal growth is achieved at 78°C at a pH of 2.5-3.5.
Growth conditions for biofilm formation will be optimized in order to characterize S. acidocal-
darius biofilms using microscopic methods and their quantitative and qualitative EPS compo-
sition. Furthermore, enzymes and pathways for EPS formation will be analyzed using classi-
cal biochemical (enzyme characterization) as well as genetic approaches using gene dele-
tion mutants.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 0049 (0) 201 183 7067
S. acidocaldarius biofilm on a polycar-bonate membrane filter.
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Signal transduction in Sulfolobus species – investigation of the phospho-proteome and characterization of protein kinases and protein phosphatases with focus of the central carbohydrate metabolism
Funded by: University of Duisburg Essen Project period: 01.03.2010 - Collaborative Project - Project Partners: Dr. Phillip C. Wright, University of Sheffield, UK; Dr. Sonja-Verena Albers, Max-Plank-Institute for terrestial Microbiology, Marburg, Germany In recent years, it is becoming evident that posttranslational protein modifications like phos-porylation, methylation and many more have a major impact on the activity and regulation of proteins and regulatory networks. In Eukaryotes serine/threonine and tyrosine kinases play a major role in such regulatory networks by transducing signals and amplifying them. In the third domain of life, the Archaea, the common bacterial two component systems are largely absent, but all archaea contain a set of eukaryotic type like protein kinases (ePKs) and pro-tein phosphatases. However, only very few of these proteins have been studied and virtually no signal cascade has been unraveled. Model organisms of this study are the thermoacidophilic Crenarchaeota Sulfolobus solfatari-cus and S. acidocaldarius. Contribution of Biofilm Centre to the consortium: Investigation of the phospho-proteome, protein kinases, protein phosphatases and predicted target enzymes of the central carbohydrate metabolism and stress reponse
The aim of our study is to elucidate the function of archaeal ePKs and phosphatases in Sul-folobus by the use of classical biochemistry, genetics and proteomics (e.g. enzyme charac-terization, phospho-proteome analysis, construction of knock-out mutants). In vivo and in vitro experiments will complement these approaches with a special focus on central carbon metabolism and stress response in the Siebers group. This work will contribute to unravel signal transduction in the third domain of life and to enhance understanding of the more complex signal transduction processes in Eukaryotes.
Person in charge: Dominik Esser (M. Sc.)
Email: [email protected] Electron microscopic image of Phone : 0049 (0) 201-183-7065 Sulfolobus acidocaldarius cells
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Trehalose as stress response in (hyper-)thermophilic Archaea
Funded by: University of Duisburg-Essen Project period: 01.11.2008 - Collaborative Project - Project Partners: Dr. Sonja Verena Albers, Max-Planck Institute for terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg; Dr. Andrei Lupas, Max-Planck Institute for Developmental Biology, Tübingen
The multifunctional disaccharide trehalose is a widespread non-reducing molecule, consist-
ing of two -1,1 linked glycosyl-glucose molecules. It occurs in members of the three do-mains of life and plays a major role as carbon source but it is also shown to function as com-patible solute in Eukaryotes and Bacteria. Trehalose protects the cell against a wide range of different stress conditions like heat, cold or high osmolarity or desiccation. Still its function in Archaea is unknown.
From comparative genomic and biochemical analysis five pathways of trehalose synthesis were identified in Archaea: (i) the two step trehalose-6-phosphate synthase (TPS) / treha-lose-6-phosphatase (TPP) pathway (OtsA/OtsB), (ii) the two step maltooligosyl-trehalose synthase / trehalohydrolase pathway (TreY/TreZ), (iii) the reversible and the (iv) irreversible trehalose glycosyltransferring synthase pathway (TreT) and (v) the trehalose synthase path-way (TreS).
Our main aim is to unravel the function of trehalose in Archaea. Therefore three Crenarchae-ota, which differ in pathway composition, the hyperthermophile Thermoproteus tenax har-bouring the unidirectional TreT and the TPSP pathway and the thermoacidophiles Sulfolobus acidocaldarius and S. solfataricus possessing the TreT and the TreY/TreZ pathway, were selected. With the help of biochemical, genetic and microbiological methods, the role of tre-halose in stress response in Archaea is currently investigated.
Person in charge: Anna Hagemann
Email: [email protected] Phone: 0049 (0) 201-1837065
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Functional analysis of multiple general transcription factors in the crenarchaeal model organism Sulfolobus acidocaldarius
Funded by: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft Project period: 02.11.2009 until 31.10.2012 Collaborative Project - Project Partners: GRK1431 (Transcription, Chromatin Structure and DNA Repair in Development and Differentiation) Homepage: http://www.uni-due.de/zmb/studycourses/gk/gk_home.shtml
Archaea exhibit unique features as well as share characteristics with Bacteria and Eukary-otes. Archaea lack a nucleus, they have a relatively small circular chromosome like Bacteria and genes are organized in operon structures. In contrast to that, information processing e.g. replication, transcription and translation are more eukaryal like.
The archaeal transcription machinery encompasses one multi-subunit RNA-Polymerase (RNAP), resembling the RNAP II of Eukaryotes, homologues of the TATA-binding protein (TBP) and Transcription Factor TFIIB (TFB). The current mechanistic understanding of tran-scription initiation is that TBP binds to the TATA-Box (~ 25 bp upstream of the transcription start site) whereupon TFB binds to the TBP:DNA complex forming sequence specific con-tacts with a purine-rich TFB-responsive element (BRE). Subsequently the N-terminus of TFB recruits the RNAP to build the ternary pre-initiation complex. RNAP, TBP and TFB are solely sufficient for transcription of archaeal promoters in vitro. Therefore archaeal transcription is generally regarded as a simpler model of the more complex eukaryal processes.
Interestingly, Archaea possess multiple copies of general transcription factors (GTFs) how-ever, the distribution is species-dependent. Whereas the function of multiple GTFs has been addressed in different Euryarchaeota (e.g. P. furiosus, Halobacterium NRC-1) the role in Crenarchaeota is still unclear. In general a function in stress response similar to bacterial sigma factors has been proposed.
The current study focusses on the thermoacidophile Crenarchaote Sulfolobus acidocaldarius which grows optimally at 80°C and a pH of 2-3. This organism possesses three TFBs and one TBP. S. acidocaldarius is the emerging model organism within the Archaea since it is easy to grow and one of the few genetically tractable Archaea.
The aim of this project is to elucidate the function of multiple transcription factors especially of TFB2 by performing in vitro and in vivo experiments (Heterologous and Homologous ex-pression and purification of the proteins, in vitro transcription, yeast-two hybrid, knock-outs).
Transcription initiation complex of Archaea
Person in charge: Bernadette Rauch
Email: [email protected] Phone: 0049 (0) 201-1837067
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Bachelor Theses accomplished within or supervised by the Biofilm Centre
Name Title Home Supervisor
Host Supervisor
Host Institution
Thorsten Bach
Microbial Fuel Cells Flemming
Yannis Ieropoulos
Uni Bristol, UK
Andrea Bernds
Cloning, expressing and characteriza-tion of a putative carbohydrate-binding module of Sulfolobus acido-caldarius
Siebers
Christopfer Bräsen
Biofilm Cent-re Germany
Helena Bielak
Untersuchung zur Toxizität von Was-serinhaltsstoffen vor und nach der oxidativen Abwasserbehandlung
Flemming Elke Dopp
IWW Mül-heim, Germany
Felix Brause
Role of conspecific and predatorcues in bacterial defenses to predation by protozoa
Flemming Diane Mc Dou-gald
Uni NSW Australia
Anna Maria Brunnert
Nanotechnology applications in water treatment specifically nanofibres con-taining biocides for the development of membrans that do not foul
Flemming Eugene Cloete
Uni Stellen-bosch South Africa
Deniz Dalgic
Investigation of triosephosphate iso-merase and cloning of a member of the lyase-superfamily from Sulfolobus solfataricus
Siebers Christopher Bräsen
Biofilm Cent-re Germany
Philip Eickenbusch
Isolation and characterization of hy-drocarbon degrading microbes from an oil contaminated environmental sample
Flemming Nicolas Kalogerakis
Uni Kreta Greece
Igor Felschau
Biofilm formation and bioleaching by pure and mixed cultures of Ferrimi-crobium acidiphilum
Flemming Wolfgang Sand
Biofilm Cent-re Germany
Dominik Grüner
Einfluss der Einnistung von Pseu-domonas aeruginosa auf die mikro-biologische und biochemische Zu-sammensetzung von Trinkwasserbio-filmen
Flemming Jost Wingender
Biofilm Cent-re Germany
Yannick Haage
Etablierung von Sulfolobus acido-caldarius als Expressionswirt für "Extremozyme"
Siebers Christoph Bräsen
Biofilm Cent-re Germany
Hashemi ol Hosseini
Identification and quantification of ammonia oxidizing bacteria and nitrite oxidizing bacteria for improvement of activated sludge treatment
Flemming Betty Olson
Uni Irvine USA
Julia Heise
Empfindlichkeit gegenüber Antibiotika und Desinfektionsmitteln sowie Bio-filmbildung von Pseudomonas aerugi-nosa-Klonen aus technischen Was-sersystemen
Flemming Jost Wingender
Biofilm Cent-re Germany
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Sonja Heldt
Untersuchung zum TreT Meta-bolismus in hyperthermophilen Archaeen
Siebers ChristopferBräsen Biofilm Cent-reGermany
Fabian Itzel
Evaluation of a new online - real time biofilm monitor
Flemming Eugene Cloete
Uni Stellen-bosch South Africa
Nathalie Juranek
Differences of bacterial com-munities in tap water and tap water biofilms analyzed with PCR-DGGE
Flemming Astrid Paulitsch-Fuchs
Wetsus, The Netherlands
Simon Michael Kellmann
Nanofiltration of natural water sources for potable use
Prof Flemming
Eugene Cloete
Uni Stellen-bosch South Africa
Sidika Kirmizi
Biophysical studies of Hyd3, a fungal hydrophobin
Siebers Margaret Sunde
Uni Sydney Australia
Vanessa Krüger
Biological Production of Hydro-gen: Understanding of Metabol-ic flux network
Flemming Bo Jin
Uni NSW Australia
Simone Kutschki
Purification and characteriza-tion of one possibel glucose dehydrogenase isoenzyme ofr the thermoacidophilic Crenar-chaeon Sulfolobus solfataricus
Siebers Melanie Zaparty
Biofilm Centre Germany
Martin Mackowiak
Nachweis von Viren im Trink-wasser
Flemming Michael Wilhelm
Uni Bochum Germany
Florian Metzelder
Einfluss der Trinkwassertempe-raturen auf die Einnistung hygi-enisch relevanter Mikroorga-nismen in Trinkwasserbiofilmen
Flemming Susanne Grobe
Uni Bochum Germany
Carolin Öhl
Looking at the effect of biofilms on the fate and transport of different environmental contam-inants
Flemming Nathalie Tufenkji
Uni Montreal Canada
Mark Pannekens
Biofilmbildung von schwefelre-duzierten Bakterien auf Cyclo-dextrin beschichteten Stahl-oberflächen
Sand Mario Vera
Biofilm Centre Germany
Wolfgang Pfeifer
Investigation of sugar acid de-hydratases from S. solfataricus and detailed biochemical inves-tigation of the 2-keto-3-deoxygluconate / galactonate kinase from S. acidocaldarius
Siebers Christopher Bräsen
Biofilm Centre Germany
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Irina Quade
Purification and characterization of a glucose dehydrogenase isoenzyme from the thermoacidophilic Crenar-chaeon Sulfolobus solfataricus
Siebers Christopher Bräsen
Biofilm Cent-re Germany
Insa Rapp
Microbial degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons on different substrates used for controlling hydrocarbon mi-gration
Flemming John L. Rayner
Uni NSW Australia
Alice Rau
Einfluss chemisch physikalischer Wasserparameter auf die Hygienisie-rung mittels Acetylhydroxyperoxid (Peressigsäure) mit dem Schwerpunkt geschlossener Kreislaufanlagen
Wolfgang Sand
Thomas Meinelt
IGB Berlin Germany
Stefanie Sand
Sorption and penetration of the biofilm matrix by nanoparticles
Flemming Alan Decho
Uni South Carolina USA
Frederik Paul Santer
Nachweis des "pepper mild mottle" Virus in Lebensmitteln, Stuhlproben und Abwasser bzw. Oberflächenwas-ser
Flemming Michael Wilhelm
Uni Bochum Germany
Julia Schmitt
Auswirkung des Nährstoffangebotes auf die Abbaubarkeit bakterieller bio-filme durch Protozoen
Flemming Thomas Neu
UFZ Magde-burg Germany
Frederik Paul Schulz
Transformationsprozesse anorgani-scher Schwefelverbindung in Pflan-zenkläranlagen
Flemming Peter Kuschk
UFZ Leipzig Germany
Daniela Ivonne Seifferth
Viskosimetrie verschiedener Alginat-lösungen unter Einfluss unterschiedli-cher mehrwertiger Kationen
Flemming Christian Mayer
UDE Germany
Karolin Spitzer
Diversität von Algen und Cyanobakte-rien in hypersalinen Solonchak-Böden: Vergleichende molekular-phylogenetische und morphologische Analysen
Flemming Thomas Friedl
Uni Göttin-gen Germany
Veronika Storck
Impact of environmental factors on novel treatments for controlling water filtration membrane biofilms
Flemming Nicolas Barraud
Uni NSW Australia
Carmen Streich
Protozoan Grazing and Chemical De-fence of Biofilms
Flemming Peter Steinberg
Uni NSW Australia
Maximilian Wolf
Discovery of methanogen-specific inhibitors
Siebers Ron Ronimus
Uni Hamilton New Zealand
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Master Theses accomplished within or supervised by the Biofilm Centre
Name Title Home Supervisor
Host Supervisor
Host Institution
Jan Frösler
Detection of Legionella spp., Legionel-la pneumophila, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in water and plankton from a freshwater lake, using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction
Flemming Jost Win-gender
Biofilm Cent-re Germany
David Holuscha
Visualization of extracellular polymeric substances during attachment to met-al sulfides by acidophilic microorgan-isms
Sand
Phillipe Leon
Biofilm Cent-re Germany
Marina Horstkott
Gene transcription analysis of different protein kinases and protein phospha-tases of Sulfolobus acidocaldarius
Siebers
Christopher Bräsen
Biofilm Cent-re Germany
Martin Keller
Selecting for functional expression of human vitamin K epoxide reductase complex subunit 1 like 1 (HsVKORC1L1) in the disulfide bond-forming pathway in Escherichia coli
Siebers
Jon Beckwith
Biofilm Cent-re Germany
Uli Klümper
Evaluation of specificity of PCR primer for detection of anammox in environ-mental samples
Sand
Ji-Dong Gu
Uni Hong Kong China
Verena Vanessa Koerfer
Comparison of biofilm development, structure and VBNC state on different urinary catheter material using EDIC/EF and viability assays
Flemming William Keevil
Uni Southampton, UK
Katharina Lühring
Identification and enumeration of Gonyostomum semen cysts in lake sediments using quantitative real-time PCR
Flemming Karin Ren-gefors
Uni Malmö Sweden
Manuel Sauer
Laborversuche zur Wiederbelebung von Pseudomonas aeruginosa aus dem VBNC-Zustand durch oxidative Desinfektionsmittel
Flemming Bernd Bendinger
TU Hamburg-Harburg, Germany
Jürgen Ralf Schrötz
Untersuchung von neuartigen Trä-germaterialien für marine Nitrifikanten von geschlossenen Marikultur-Kreislaufanlagen
Sand
Eva Spieck
Uni Hamburg, Germany
Vera Slomka
Biofilm disassembly and degradation by natural substances
Sand
Mario Vera
Biofilm Cent-re Germany
Christian Thyssen
Charakterisierung eines neuartigen acidophilen Eisen und Schwefel oxi-dierenden Gamma-Proteobakteriums
Sand
Mario Vera
Biofilm Cent-re Germany
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Publications of Biofilm Centre in 2010/2011
Books
Flemming, H.-C. (Hrsg.): Vermeidung und Sanierung von Trinkwasser-Kontaminationen durch hygienisch relevante Mikroorganismen aus Biofilmen der Hausinstallation „Biofilme in der Hausinstallation“. IWW Schriftenreihe, Mülheim 2010, 258 pp.
Flemming, H.-C., Wingender, J., Szewzyk, U. (eds.): Biofilm Highlights. Springer Int. Heidel-berg, New York, 2011, 243 pp
Articles
Balzer, M., Witt, N., Flemming, H.-C., Wingender, J. (2010): Accumulation of fecal indicator bacteria in river biofilms. Wat. Sci. Technol. 61, 1105-1111
Bellenberg S., Vera M. & Sand W. (2011) Transcriptomic studies of capsular polysaccharide export systems involved in biofilm formation by Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans In: Biohydro-metallurgy: Biotech key to unlock mineral resources value, Vol. 1., Q. Guanzhou, J. Tao, Q. Wenqing, L. Xueduan, Y. Yu, W. Haidong (eds.), Proceedings of the 19th International Biohy-drometallurgy Symposium, pp 460-464, Changsha, China. Bellenberg S., Leon-Morales F. Holuscha D., Krok B., Vera, M & Sand, W. (2011) A lectin-based approach for visualization of capsular EPS after attachment and biofilm formation by acidophilic leaching bacteria. In: Biohydrometallurgy: Biotech key to unlock mineral resources value, Vol 1, Q. Guanzhou, J. Tao, Q. Wenqing, L. Xueduan, Y. Yu, W. Haidong (eds.), Proceedings of the 19th International Biohydrometallurgy Symposium, pp 362-365, Changsha, China
Berndt, E., Behnke, S., Dannehl, A., Gajda, A., Wingender, J., Ulbricht, M. (2010) Functional coatings for anti-biofouling applications by surface segregation of block copolymer additives. Polymer 51, 5910-5920 Dwidjosiswojo, Z., Richards, J., Moritz, M.M., Dopp, E., Flemming, H.-C., Wingender, J. (2011): Influence of copper ions on the viability and cytotoxicity of Pseudomonas aeruginosa under conditions relevant to drinking water. Int. J. Hyg. Environ. Health 214, 485-492
Exner, M., Christiansen, B., Flemming, H.J., Gebel, J., Kistemann, T., Kramer, A., Martiny, M., Mathys, W., Nissing, W., Pleischl, S., Simon, A., Trautmann, M., Zastrow K.D., Engel-hart, S. (2010): Pseudomonas aeruginosa – Plädoyer für die Einführung eines technischen Maßnahmewertes in die Novelle der Trinkwasserverordnung. Hyg. Med. 35, 370 – 379
Flemming, H.-C. (2010): Biodeterioration of synthetic materials – a brief review. Mat. Corr. 61, 986-992
Flemming, H.-C.: Microbial biofouling – unsolved problems, insufficient approaches and pos-sible solutions. In: Flemming, Wingender, J., H.-C., Szewzyk, U. (eds.): Biofilm Highlights. Springer Int. Heidelberg, New York, 2011, 81-109
Flemming, H.-C. (2011): Wasser und Leben. In: Zellner, R. (Hrsg.): Chemie über den Wol-ken. Verlag Chemie, 132-140
Flemming, H.-C. (2011): The perfect slime. Coll. Surf. B: Biointerfaces, Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces 86, 251-259
Flemming, H.-C. (2011): The fate of sins in water. Vom Wasser 109, 15-17
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Flemming, H.-C., Cloete, T.E. (2010): Environmental impact of controlling biofouling and bio-corrosion in cooling water systems. In: Rajagopal, S., Jenner, H.A., Venugopalan, V.P. (eds.): Operational and Environmental Consequences of Large Industrial Cooling Water Sys-tems, 365-380
Flemming, H.-C., Wingender, J. (2010): The Biofilm Matrix. Nat. Rev. Microbiol. 8 623-633
Flemming, H.-C., Wingender, J. (2010): Biofilme – das Gesellschaftsleben der Mikroorga-nismen. In: Nießner, R. (Hrsg.): Höll, Karl: Wasser - Nutzung im Kreislauf: Hygiene, Analyse und Bewertung, 9. Auflage. De Gruyter, Berlin/New York 2010, pp 660-677
Flemming, H.-C., Bendinger. B., Exner, M., Gebel, J., Kistemann, T., Schaule, G., Wingen-der, J. (2011): Hygiene in der Trinkwasser-Installation: die letzten Meter bis zum Wasser-hahn. 44. Essener Tagung für Wasser- u. Abfallwirtschaft; Gewässerschutz, Wasser, Ab-wasser,
Grobe, S. Schaule, G. Wingender, J., Flemming, H.-C. (2010) Mikrobiologische Kontaminati-onen im Trinkwasser - Ursachenermittlung. Energie Wasser-Praxis 61 (4), 18-21 Haferkamp, P., Kutschki, S., Treichel, J., Hemeda, H., Sewczyk, K., Hoffmann, D., Zaparty, M., Siebers, B. (2011): An additional glucose dehydrogenase from Sulfolobus solfataricus: fine-
tuning of sugar degradation? Biochem Soc Trans. 2011 Jan 19;39(1):77-81.
Koerdt, A., Jachlewski, S., Gosh, A., Wingender, J., Siebers, B., Albers, S.-V. (2012): Com-plementation of Sulfolobus solfataricus PBL2025 with an α-mannosidase: effects on surface attachment and biofilm formation. Extremophiles 16, 115-125
Marrero Coto, Ehrenhofer-Murray AE, Pons T, Siebers, B (2011): Functionals analysis of archaeal MBF 1 by complementation studies in yeast. Biol Direct. 6, 18
Melo, L., Flemming, H.-C. (2010): Mechanistic Aspects of Heat Exchanger and Membrane Biofouling and Prevention. In: Amjad, Z. (ed.): The science and technology of industrial water treatment. Taylor and Francis, London, pp. 365-380
Moritz, M., Flemming, H.-C., Wingender, J. (2010): Integration of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Legionella pneumophila in drinking water biofilms grown on domestic plumbing materi-als. Int. J. Hyg. Environ. Health 213, 190-197
Noël, N., Florian, B., Sand, W. (2010): AFM & EFM study on attachment of acidophilic leach-ing organisms. Hydrometallurgy 104, 370–375
Roeder, R.S., Heeg, K., Tarne, P., Benölken, J.K., Schaule, G., Bendinger, B., Flemming, H.-C., Szewzyk, U. (2010): Influence of materials, water qualities and disinfection methods on the drinking water biofilm community. Wat. Pract. Technol. 5, 1-12
Stadler, R., Fürbeth, M., Grooters, C., Janosch, A., Kuklinski, A., Sand, W. (2010): Studies on the Application of Microbially Produced Polymeric Substances As Protecting Layers Against Microbially Influenced Corrosion of Iron And Steel. Paper no. 10209, Proceedings of CORROSION 2010, San Antonio, Texas
Stadler, R., Wie, L., Fürbeth, W., Grooters, M., Kuklinski, A. (2010): Influence of bacterial exopolymers on cell adhesion of Desulfovibrio vulgaris on high alloyed steel: Corrosion inhi-bition by extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). Materials and Corrosion 61(12): 1008-1016
Tielen, P., Rosenau, F., Wilhelm, S., Jaeger, K.F., Flemming, H.-C., Wingender, J. (2010): Extracellular enzymes affect biofilm formation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Microbiology 156, 2239-2252
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Thyssen C., Vera M., Janosch, C. Spröer C. & Sand, W. (2011) A novel acidophilic γ- prote-obacterium for bioleaching. In: Biohydrometallurgy: Biotech key to unlock mineral resources value, Vol 2, Q. Guanzhou, J. Tao, Q. Wenqing, L. Xueduan, Y. Yu, W. Haidong (eds.), Pro-ceedings of the 19th International Biohydrometallurgy Symposium, pp 979-891, Changsha, China. Vera M., Krok B., Sand W. & Poetsch A. (2011) High throughput proteomic comparison of data for planktonic and biofilm-forming cells of Acidthiobacillus ferrooxidans ATCC 23270 In: Biohydrometallurgy: Biotech key to unlock mineral resources value, Vol 1, Q. Guanzhou, J. Tao, Q. Wenqing, L. Xueduan, Y. Yu, W. Haidong (eds.), Proceedings of the 19th Interna-tional Biohydrometallurgy Symposium, pp 358-361, Changsha, China Wingender, J.: Hygienically relevant microorganisms in biofilms of man-made water systems. In: Flemming, Wingender, J., H.-C., Szewzyk, U. (eds.): Biofilm Highlights. Springer Int. Hei-delberg, New York, 2011, 189-238
Wingender, J., Flemming, H.-C. (2011): Biofilms in drinking water and their role as reservoir for pathogens. Int. J. Hyg. Environ. Health 214, 417-423
Zaparty, M., and Siebers, B. (2011). Physiology, Metabolism and Enzymology of Thermoaci-dophiles. In Extremophiles Handbook K. Horikoshi, G. Antranikian, A.T. Bull, F.T. Robb, and K.O. Stetter, eds., pp 601-639, Springer, Heidelberg, Tokyo
Zaparty M., D. Esser, S. Gertig, P. Haferkamp, T. Kouril, A. Manica, T. K. Pham, J. Reimann, K. Schreiber, P. Sierocinski, D. Teichmann, M. van Wolferen, M. von Jan, P. Wieloch, S.-V. Albers, A. J. Driessen, H.-P. Klenk, C. Schleper, D. Schomburg, J. van der Oost, P. C. Wright and B. Siebers (2010). “Hot standards” for the thermoacidophilic archaeon Sulfolobus solfataricus. Extremophiles, 14, 119-42, DOI: 10.1007/s00792-009-0280-0
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Invited Lectures
Hans-Curt Flemming:
January 24, 2011: „The Matrix: Chaos and Function“. Opening lecture, Biofilm Workshop, University of Malmö, Sweden March 3, 2011: “Mikrobiologie in der Trinkwasserleitung“ Public Evening Presentation at the occasion of opening the Annual Conference of the Socie-ty for Fundamental and Applied Microbiology in Karlsruhe: April 14, 2011: “Leben und Tod im Biofilm“ Ulm, Hygiene Congress, Drinking water section April 26, 2011: “The Perfect Slime” Annual Meeting of the Materials Research Society, San Francisco June 1, 2011: “Membrane Biofouling: Open questions, insufficient solutions, and a few new ideas” Biofouling Workshop, Singapore Center for Life Sciences and Engineering (SCELSE) July 25: “Water and Religion” Special Interdisciplinary Presentation, University of Stellenbosch, South Africa September 20, 2011: “Biofouling” Opening lecture, Triannual Conference of the International Biodeterioration and Biodegrada-tion Society, Vienna September 29, 2011: “The Biofilm Matrix” Action Nationale de Formation: „Voyages au sein d’un biofilm : physico-chimie des exopo-lymères“, Nancy
Wolfgang Sand:
August 27: “Bioleaching of metal sulfides – a model for understanding biocorrosion?” Marie-Curie-project BIOCOR, Summer school, Portsmouth, England September 21: “A lectin-based approach for visualization of capsular EPS after attachment and biofilm formation by acidophilic leaching bacteria” 19th International Biohydrometallurgy Symposium, Changsha, China November 14: “A lectin-based approach for visualization of capsular EPS after attachment and biofilm formation by acidophilic leaching bacteria” Workshop in Bioprocess for Mining Industry and Environment, BIOMENVI, Araraquara, Brasil
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Bettina Siebers:
07.12.2011 2011 International Conference on Microbial Life in Extreme Environments (Shenzhen, China)
“Some like it hot: The fascinationg archaeal metabolic potential”
12.10.2011 5. BMBF Projektforum Biotechnologie (BIOTECHNICA, Hannover)
Sulfolobus Systembiologie: „Manche mögen es heiß“
20.09.2011 ProkaGENOMICS (Göttingen)
Sulfolobus Systems Biology: Exploiting the Hot Archaeal Metabolic Potential
01.08.2011 Gordon Conference on Archaea: Ecology, Metabolism and Molecular Biology (Waterville Valley, NH, USA)
Life in the Hot Lane: Sulfolobus Systems Biology.
27.04.2011 HOTzyme Verbundtreffen (Kopenhagen, Denmark)
Hot archaeal metabolic potential
24.02.2011 Verbundtreffen ExpresSys (BMBF GenoMik-Transfer Verbundprojekt), Lehr-stuhl für Mikrobiologie, TU München, Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Liebl)
A novel archaeal expression host: the thermoacidophilic Crenarchaeon Sulfol-obus
12.01.2011 WE-Heraeus-Seminar on “Biothermodynamics of Metabolic and Ecological Networks” (Bad Honnef)
Hot Systems Biology: Challenging metabolic networks
Jost Wingender
March 29, 2011: Wet systems – induction of the viable but nonculturable state in bacteria by copper ions. International Workshop “Copper in bacteria: between essentiality, homeostasis, VBNC and toxicity”. Düsseldorf, 29.03.2011
March 31, 2011: Ergebnisse aktueller Untersuchungen zu hygienisch relevanten Bakterien in der Ruhr (Baldeneysee) und ihrer Assoziation mit Plankton. IWW-Kolloqium „Risikoma-nagement von Schadstoffen und Mikroorganismen im Wasserkreislauf“. Mülheim an der Ruhr
September 14, 2011: Die letzten Meter auf dem Weg zum Wasserhahn. Die neuesten Er-kenntnisse aus dem Verbundprojekt „Biofilme in der Trinkwasser-Installation“. Pall Webinar
November 11, 2011: Vorkommen, Bedeutung und Nachweis von Biofilmen. Jahrestagung der Westdeutschen Laborleiter 2011, Bochum
