Characterization of the metabolome of P. aeruginosa in biofilms as a lung infection model

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In this project, the metabolome of P. aeruginosa will be characterized considering lung adapted conditions by using a biofilm as a lung infection model. Therefore, a sampling system for the cultivation of P. aeruginosa will be developed, which enables the sampling of the culture medium, the biofilm and the headspace over time. This three-phase approach allows the classification of detected and characterized substances as substrates or metabolites. A comprehensive preconcentration of the metabolites shall be achieved by application of various extraction techniques. The qualitative and quantitative determination of selected metabolites will be carried out by GCxGC-EI-MS and LC+LC-IM-qTOF-MS. The sample preconcentration and experimental parameters e.g. stationary phase, analysis time in the 2nd dimension (modulation time) and flow rates will be optimized. As an internal standard, Benzothiazole will be added to the culture medium in order to investigate and control the preconcentration, diffusion and distribution of the potential metabolites. Based on the results, it shall be verified if P. aeruginosa is represented by detecting only the metabolites in the headspace of a biofilm sample. This should answer the question whether the identification of P. aeruginosa is possible only by head space analysis or not.