Welcome to the Gilbert
lab homepage!
Microbial
biofilms are communities of microorganisms attached to a surface.
They are particularly fascinating because they form just about anywhere
a nonsterile fluid flows over a surface. Biofilms can be beneficial, such
as for wastewater cleanup, or they be harmful, such as when they grow on
medical implants.
We are looking at biofilms from two perspectives. On
one hand, we are interested in designing useful
biofilms that combine metabolically complementary bacteria into
functional systems. On the other hand, we are looking at novel ways to
inhibit primary adhesion of cells to surfaces, in order to prevent
the formation of problem
biofilms.
The Two Sides of Biofilms
To the Left: (color image) Chromium-reducing, dual
species biofilm. Individual Escherichia coli appear
as yellow green. Biofilms may help organize different kinds of cells
to degrade recalcitrant (hard to break down) chemicals. They can help combine
multiple degradative pathways into a single functional system.
To the Right: (black and white
image) Staphylococcus grows on a presumably safe catheter.
Image appears courtesy of the ASM Biofilm Collection (Khardori & Yassien).
Click on the links to
learn more!
BACK
to GSU's Biology Department Web site
The
People that work in Dr. Gilbert's lab
Publications
Contact information:
Dr. Eric Gilbert
Georgia State University
Department of Biology
24 Peachtree Center Ave.
Atlanta, GA 30303
E-mail: esgilbert@gsu.edu
Telephone:
(404) 651 3080
|
Site last updated: 02/22/2002