Bacterial biofilms are multicellular communities of bacteria that form on
nearly all surfaces. They consist of bacteria embedded in a soft matrix
composed of proteins, polysaccharides, nucleic acids, and small molecules. Researchers
at NASA in the Water Recovery Systems team are currently developing next generation
water recovery systems that use multispecies biofilms in biological water processors
(BWP)to treat waste water; however, these biofilms are implicated ina variety
of problems including detachment from the bioreactor membrane and clogging elsewhere
in the water treatment system. Without knowledge of the mechanical properties
of these biofilms, the technology cannot advance. The principle research objective
of this proposal isto use micromechanical toolssuch as thermally driven microrheology
and actively driven magnetic microrheologyt o characterize the mechanical properties
of microbial biofilms that form in water recovery systems developed for human
exploration at NASA.To accomplish this goal, we will first optimize these well-established
techniques for use with biofilms. Secondly, we will use these techniques to map
local mechanical properties of the microbial biofilms present in NASA’s BWP. These
initial studies will provide a foundation for a continued collaboration with the
Water Recovery Systems team, will provide the necessary preliminary data to
seek additional funding, and will help NASA advance their water treatment technology
to be used in human exploration.
| Mail |
James Wilking
Center for Biofilm Engineering
Montana State University
Bozeman, MT 59717
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