Advanced dev of the constant depth film fermenter towards optimised biofilm modelling and development of functional insights of biofilm communities

口腔内细菌种类繁多，目前已鉴定出约700种口腔细菌。牙菌斑与龋齿和牙周病这两种最常见疾病的病因有关。根据生态菌斑假说，口腔感染的发生不仅与一种或几种细菌有关，而且与宿主与口腔微生物群共生相互作用以及微生物稳态的破坏有关。因此，不断的机械去除和改善口腔卫生对于防止口腔感染的发生至关重要。利物浦大学牙科学院在使用等深度膜发酵罐（CDFF）模型方面拥有独特的专业知识，该模型将生理相关的多物种生物膜的复杂性与口腔中存在的磨损和流动动力学模拟相结合。因此，CDFF是一个专门的平台，产生龈上菌斑，其组成具有体内发生的代表性，当它与捐赠唾液的微观培养物接种时。我们计划将牙科学院和基因组研究中心（CGR/MIF-OMICS）的世界级专业知识结合起来进行基因组分析和测序。该中心在描述各种环境下的人类微生物组特征方面具有经验，包括口腔，这是人体中最多样化的微生物组之一，并对其多样性及其与健康和疾病的关系有先进的见解。该项目的目的是打开一个新的研究领域，以表征和发展更有代表性的口腔微生物组模型。在这个过程中，我们设想未来的学生通过利用两个部门最先进的设施来接触和培训丰富多样的技术。拟议的博士研究生完全符合BBSRC的世界级基础生物科学的职权范围，特别是在基础生物科学和探索新的工作方式。

The oral cavity is highly populated with bacterial species, and around 700 oral bacterial species have been identified. Dental plaque is related to the aetiology of two of the most prevalent disease: caries and periodontal diseases. According to the ecological plaque hypothesis not only one or few bacterial species, but the disturbance of the symbiotic interactions between the host and the resident oral microbiota, as well as the microbial homeostasis are responsible for the occurrence of oral infections. Therefore, constant mechanical removal and improved oral hygiene are essential to prevent the occurrence of oral infections. The School of Dentistry at the University of Liverpool has unique expertise in the use of the constant-depth film fermenter (CDFF) model which combines the complexity of a physiologically relevant multispecies biofilm with a simulation of the abrasion and flow dynamics present in the mouth. The CDFF therefore is a specialised platform producing supragingival plaque with a composition that is representative of those occurring in vivo when it is inoculated with a microcosm culture from donated saliva. We plan to combine the world class expertise of both the School of Dentistry and the Centre of Genomic Research (CGR/MIF-OMICS) for genomic analysis and sequencing. The centre has experience in characterising the human microbiome in a variety of contexts including the mouth, one of the most diverse microbiomes in the body, and advanced insights in its diversity and association to health and disease. The aim of this project is to open a new area of research into the characterisation and development of more representative oral microbiome models. In the process we envisage the prospective student to get exposure and training in a rich diversity of techniques by utilising the state of art facilities in both departments.The proposed PhD studentship squarely fits within the World Class Underpinning Bioscience remit of BBSRC, specifically within Fundamental Bioscience and exploit new ways of working.