Understanding Roles of Flow, Surface, and Microbe Phenotype on Formation and 3D Architecture of Shear Resistant Biofilms with Integrated Microfluidics and Mesoscale Experimentations
Abstract
Intellectual Merit. The proposal applies novel microfluidic technologies and mesoscale experimentation with the state-of-the-art measurement techniques and biomolecular analyses to investigate key biophysical processes and mechanisms that form shear resistance (SR-) biofilms, a common but debilitating problem for naval ships. It was estimated that US alone has spent $5.7B annually to prevent and control marine fouling, especially US Navy. Despite advancements, most of anti-fouling (AF) and foul-releasing (FR) technologies work well in laboratory but are often less effective in the real-world. The disparities highlight our lack of understanding the underlying mechanisms employed by biofilms to counter environmental stresses, especially hydrodynamics. For instance, recent study has anecdotally shown that biofilm can adapt its structural and rheological characteristics to resist shear erosions and prevent break away in flows. Built on newly established capabilities in nanotechnology and biomedical science at TAMUCC, a team with expertise in material science, fluid mechanics, nanoscale sensing and biomedical science is formed to advance our knowledge on the structure and dynamics of SR-biofilms and assess effects of shear, surface, biology on its structural and material characteristics. In this proposal, we will develop two experimental platforms, i.e. a microfluidics (laminar flow) and a close-loop (turbulent) channel flow facility, within which SR-biofilms are grown in-site under appropriate flow shear including the laminar and turbulent conditions. With a suite of the state-of-the-art measurement techniques integrated with biomolecular tools, we concurrently quantify the instantaneous structural and rheological properties (e.g. viscoelasticity) of a live SRbiofilm as well as its mechanical environments including flow, wall shear, film-substrate adhesion, and shear response genes. Using these concurrent measurements, we will assess the role of environmental factors in the formation of SR-biofilms and explore fundamental mechanisms on how the film structure and material properties contribute to its ability in resisting shear erosion or preventing it from being released from the surface under large flow shear. Samples collected from experiments will also be analyzed to identify the shear response gene(s) and regulating pathway. This project, bringing together researchers from engineering disciplines and biological science, promotes the interdisciplinary collaborations. On a smaller scale, the project will advance our knowledge on marine biofouling (a key interest of ONR). On the grander scale, it will enhance TAMUCCÕs research capability and lay the foundation for TAMUCC to become a research intensive MSI university and education leader in south Texas. Broader Impact. Research: The project will advance technology development including in-situ characterization of a live biomaterial and measurement of nano deformation, as well as promote advancement in biofluids, surface & colloidal science, and film-surface interactions. Results will certainly deepen understandings of how flow shear affects biofilm structure and its biomechanics, while enrich our knowledge on interactions among environmental factors and biofilm development over ship hulls. Education: One Ph.D. and four undergraduate students will be involved. PIs will also integrate research into STEM education by course development, cross-disciplinary training of undergraduates and graduate students, and short technical courses/workshop development. Outreach: PIs will develop summer camps for K-12 teachers in south Texas to introduce new biotechnology and engineering concepts (e.g. microfabrication) as well as biomolecular analysis techniques including gene-sequencing, fluorescence labeling to K-12 STEM education.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Aug 31, 2020
- Source ID
- W911NF2010307
Entities
People
- Jian Sheng
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- Office of the Secretary of Defense
- Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi