Fundamentals of Biofilm Research

The history of natural sciences demonstrates that major advances in the understanding of natural processes follow the development of relevant tools. The progress of biofilm research is no different. While individual areas have mushroomed in recent years, difficulties in reproducing results, communicating new findings, and reconciling differences in conceptual versus mathematical advances are holding back the true growth of the field. Fundamentals of Biofilm Research offers a system of compatible tools and measurements that can be used to conduct biofilm studies and consistently interpret their results. After extensive testing and refinement in labs and classrooms over twenty years, the authors introduce a coherent system of conceptual, physical, computational, and virtual tools to help achieve reproducible results, align research specific parameters, ease difficulties in communication among disparate arenas, and implement consistent and reproducible procedures to interpret meaningful results. The authors reconcile the inability of computational methods to account for conceptual variables with the use of the stratified biofilm model. In this way researchers can combine the results of various measurements conducted within the space occupied by the biofilm.In addition to the wealth of information provided in the book, the authors also provide a CD with several software packages including extracting numerical parameters, computing nutrient concentration, calculating biokinetic parameters, controlling micropositioners, and measuring chemical concentration using microelectrodes. Emphasizing process analysis, engineering systems, biofilm applications, and mathematical modeling, Fundamentals of Biofilm Research provides the tools to synergize and unify research and advance biofilm research as a whole.

Table of Contents:
Introduction to Biofilms and to Biofilm Research Introduction Terminology Characterizing the Compartments of Biofilm Systems Strategy of Biofilm Research Laboratory Biofilm Reactors and Their Applications Variables in Biofilm Reactors LBRs as Scale Models Factors Affecting Biofilm Processes in LBRs Operating Modes of LBRs LBRs and Their Typical Applications Using LBRs in Conjunction with Other Tools to Explore Biofilm Processes at the Microscale Functionality of LBRs Sensors Useful in Biofilm Research Fundamental Concepts in Electrochemistry and Principles of Electrochemical Sensors Microsensors Microsensors: Construction, Instrumentation, and Calibration Constructing Microelectrodes Constructing Fiberoptic Microsensors Controlling Microelectrode Movements and Data Acquisition Quantifying Biofilm Structure The Need to Quantify Biofilm Structure Types of Images Computing Parameters from Biofilm Images Quantifying Biomass Distribution In 3-D from Stacks of Biofilm Images Computing 3-D Parameters from Stacks of Biofilm Images Interfering Effects Testing Available Software Packages Quantifying Biofilm Structure Directions of Future Research on Quantifying Biofilm Structure Interpreting Results of Biofilm Studies Using the Model of Stratified Biofilms Conceptual Model of Stratified Biofilms Interpreting Results of Biofilm Studies Using the Conceptual Model of Stratified Biofilms Using the Model of Stratified Biofilm to Refine Conceptual Models of Biofilm Structure and Activity Computing Biokinetics Parameters in Stratified Biofilms Mathematical Modeling of Biofilm Processes and Experimental Verification of Model’s Prediction Protocols and Procedures Preparing the Experimental System Quantifying Microbial Growth Kinetics Preparing and Operating Biofilm Reactors

About the Author :
Montana State University, Bozeman, USA Washington State University, Pullman, USA