Characterisation of mechanical, physical and biological properties of biofilms under industrial processing conditions

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Bacterial biofilms provide a physico-mechanical protection of microbes to the external environment, requiring the use of harsh chemicals and abrasive cleaning for their control. This protective mechanism has broad impact in the manufacturing of a wide range of products including those designed for hygiene (oral, household cleaning and fabric hygiene) as well as their efficacy within the home, where biofilms can also be experienced. Currently, manufacturing products can be subject to problems with bacterial biofilm contamination leading to production interruption and significant economic cost to industry for cleaning and sanitisation. Biofilms formed under high flow conditions have not been studied in relation to the changes that occur in response to these stresses from a combined physical and biological perspective. The impact of shear and flow on the physical and mechanical properties of the biofilm will be evaluated in this project, relating these factors to changes in metabolism and cellular activity. The model biofilms generated will be used to investigate the genetic, transcriptomic and metabolic responses of Pseudomonas spp. to stresses imposed in manufacturing and cleaning processes. These experiments will provide data which will inform the most effective means to prevent and remove biofilm formation by Pseudomonas in a range of conditions, with a view to designing more effective remed