Montana State University's Center for Biofilm Engineering (CBE)
This webinar is focused on addressing industrial biofilm problems and will be beneficial to:
Anyone wanting a better understanding of biofilms, how they develop and proliferate
Anyone engaged in solving biofilm related problems
Anyone developing new products for the control of biofilms
Montana State University's Center for Biofilm Engineering (CBE) has been a world leader in biofilm research (the study of microbial communities on surfaces) for over 20 years. The CBE’s long-standing reputation for excellence extends throughout its programs in research, education, and technology transfer—and the breadth of the CBE’s activities sets it apart from all other biofilm centers.
Industrial Associates Program
Through its Industrial Associates program, MSU helps to keep the ultimate focus of CBE research on real-world applications. Technology transfer at the CBE involves not only information, but methods and technology development. The CBE has a Standardized Biofilm Methods (SBM) laboratory specifically designated to develop these methods. Over the past several years, MSU has worked with over 30 major corporations to help solve their biofilm problems. Many of these companies, and also other non-member companies, sponsor focused research projects. The CBE ran 33 projects for 25 companies in the past year. Some of those companies include: 3M, BASF, Bauch & Lomb, Coviden, Dow Corning, Kimberly-Clark, Exxon Mobil, Unilever, Steris, Novozymes, Sherwin-Williams
The CBE's history of research success results from adaptability to new information and analytical technologies, as well as flexibility in addressing biofilm issues in comprehensive ways—using its deep bench of MSU researchers with diverse specialties in biofilm studies. Current major areas of research include:
- Biofilm control strategies (antimicrobial efficacy, inhibitory coatings, disinfectants) - Energy solutions (biofuels, microbial fuel cells) - Environmental technologies (bioremediation, wetlands water treatment, CO2 sequestration) - Health/medical biofilms (dental, chronic wounds, implant infections) - Industrial systems & processes (biofouling, biocorrosion, microbe-metal interactions) - Standardized methods (product claims, regulatory issues, ASTM methods acceptance) - Water systems (drinking water quality, premise plumbing, distribution systems)
One way to compare the size and productivity of a research group is by the number of publications from a particular campus (Table 1). MSU tops all other institutions on this list.
Table 1.
Institution
Biofilm Publications 1990-present
Montana State University
496
Harvard University
301
Copenhagen, all institutions
202
University of Washington
193
University of Calgary
174
Stanford University
111
Universität Duisburg-Essen
37
Data from the ISI Web of Science database searched October 26, 2011.
The CBE’s web site (www.biofilm.montana.edu) provides online access to a vast set of biofilm resources based on the Center’s research advances, including the first online biofilm ‘hypertextbook,’ which provides interactive instruction via web technologies. Other web resources include an overview of ‘biofilm basics,’ a series of articles on standardized biofilm methods, abstracts of all of the CBE’s publications, a collection of biofilm movies, annual reports, slideshows, and an image library of conceptual graphics. In the past year alone, these graphics were downloaded for use in presentations and research posters by requesters from 30 of the United States and 36 other countries.
Presenter:
Due to some special circumstances, Dr. Sturman will be unable to present in this webinar. Dr. Phil Stewart, Director of the Bioengineering Center will be presenting in his place. Please click here to view Dr. Stewart's Bio. If you would like to contact Dr. Sturman or Dr. Stewart regarding their presentation, please get in touch with them through their contact information below:
Phil Stewart, Ph.D.
Director
Biofilm Engineering, Center for; EP 366E (406) 994-1960
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Paul Sturman, Ph.D., P.E. Industrial Coordinator Center for Biofilm Engineering 366 EPS Building, Montana State University Bozeman MT 59717-3980
Phone: 406-994-2102 Fax: 406-994-6098 Email:
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About Dr. Sturman:
Paul Sturman is the Industrial Coordinator and Research Professor at the Center for Biofilm Engineering (CBE), a position he has held since 2000. The CBE is recognized internationally as a leading academic institution for interdisciplinary biofilm research and technology transfer. In addition to fundamental research, the CBE’s mission supports applied research in the areas of industrial, medical, and environmental biofilms. The CBE has a robust industrial partnership program wherein over 30 industrial companies and US government entities support research and technology transfer efforts. As Industrial Coordinator, Dr. Sturman works closely with Industrial Associate companies to assist adoption of biofilm-related technologies as well as organizing twice-yearly biofilm research conferences (the Montana Biofilm Meetings). Dr. Sturman maintains research interests in investigations of biofilms in industrial water systems, environmental biofilms, and the development of standardized methods for biofilm analysis. In the past 4 years, Dr. Sturman has directed projects funded by over a dozen industrial companies seeking to better understand how biofilms impact their products or processes.
Dr. Sturman has over 20 peer-reviewed publications and 3 book chapters and has made over 30 invited presentations at national and international conferences, typically focusing on biofilms and their control in industrial process steams and water systems. Dr. Sturman received his Ph.D. from Montana State University and worked as a consulting engineer prior to his current position. Dr. Sturman is a registered professional engineer and regularly consults with industrial companies worldwide on problems related to biofouling and biofilm control.
COST OF THE WEBINAR: Free, but registration required by clicking on the link above.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE: This series is online. You need a computer with web access for the visual/audio. Q&A is conducted by a chat box to the speakers. Once registered to the webinar series you will receive a separate email with the webinar URL 24 hours before the start of the webinar.
WHO SHOULD PARTICIPATE IN THE WEBINAR?: Angel investors, venture capitalists, large companies, entrepreneurs, SBIR companies, federal lab researchers, federal agency representatives, and others who want to learn more about biofilms and how to solve biofilm related problems highlighted during the webinar.
SLIDES AND VIDEO: The slide presentations and video recording will be available on this page. The slide presentations will be available for download shortly before the webinar. The video recording of this webinar will be available within 24 hours after the scheduled webinar ends.
