Biofilm: Social microbiology? - Eftermiddagsseminar om Biofilm.

Monday, 25 May, 2009, 13:00-17:00.
Lundbeck-Auditoriet, Biocentret, Ole Maaløes Vej 5
2200 Copenhagen N

For many years we microbiologists had the misconception that bacteria were loners – they’re not!

Keynote Speaker:

J. William Costerton, Director for Biofilm Research, Center for Genomic Sciences,
Allegheny-Singer Research Institute, USA. The biofilm paradigm makes all the
difference: Culture-negative infections.

Speakers:

Michael Kühl, Prof., Univ. of Copenhagen,
Microbial mats – the ultimate biofilm ecosystem

Rikke Louise Meyer, Assoc. prof., Univ. of Aarhus,
Nanotechnology approaches for combating biofilms

Michael Givskov, Prof., Univ. of Copenhagen.
Immune system beats biofilm: How a chemical gives the immune system the upper hand

Following the talks the Danish Microbiological Society will host a small reception with snacks and
drinks for all participants. The seminar is free of charge, but for practical reasons, you must
register ahead of time: Send a mail to Bo Jensen at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , and as the subject, write
“DMS biofilm” and give the number of participants you are registering for.

Abstract: We microbiologists were trained to believe in a bacterium as a free-living organism. We’ve spent
many years and much research money trying to culture them in pure culture. However, William Costerton
showed us several years ago that holes in our teeth are the result of a “film of organisms” that represent a multi-
species cooperation. Now, we know that this complex interaction partly arises from molecular quorum sensing,
as exemplified in the serious human disease cystic fibrosis. Also microorganisms in the natural environment
exploit biofilm as a means of overcoming extreme physical and chemical limitations, e.g., in hot springs, in
marine snow, and in microbial mats. In the near future, the newest developments in nano-technology will be
exploited in a concerted way to prevent biofilm formation in our technological surroundings. At the end of this
afternoon, we may discover that biofilm is an important factor in even more microbiological niches.

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