Title
Looking for analytical platform to characterize biofilm
AbstractA Belgian multinational active in the consumer goods is seeking a holistic analytical platform to characterize the chemical composition of biofilms and the architecture of the biofilm. Industrial partners or academia players with an already available solution (in-market products) or patented solutions which exist and which are not yet in market are sought for licence agreement with the large account.
DescriptionA biofilm consists in a generally complex structure adhering to surfaces that are regularly in contact with water. It consists of colonies of bacteria and usually other microorganisms such as yeasts, fungi, and protozoa that secrete a mucilaginous protective coating in which they are encased.
Biofilms can form anywhere on solid or liquid surfaces, as well as on soft tissue in living organisms, and are typically resistant to conventional methods of disinfection. When the environment provides the necessary nutrients, a biofilm grows over time and attaches strongly to surfaces. The formation of a biofilm provides protection against, heat, light, drying, chemicals or sanitation.
The study of microbial biofilm formation is therefore of paramount importance in a wide range of industries, including those associated with health products, food, water, paper mills, medical health, and pharmaceuticals. Research on the impact of various parameters on biofilm formation has been conducted within the framework of these industries, with varying results depending on the specific methods used in the industry.
For this company active in the consumer goods, irreversible attachment of microorganisms to surface (e.g., fabrics, gum, toilet, etc.) and biofilm architecture are among the key factors of biofilm formation.
In order to characterize the chemical composition (substances like proteins (e.g., fibrin), or polysaccharide (e.g., alginate), quorum sensing molecules, as well as eDNA) of biofilms and the architecture of the biofilm, this company needs a holistic analytical platform.
Advantages and innovation
Technical Specification or Expertise Sought
The platform will be integrated with microbiology to elucidate mechanism of action and identify the targets to intervene biofilm formation.
The company is looking for
• One stop shop for analytical characterization of biofilms
• In situ chemical characterization (cryo OrbiSIMS) with chemical filtering method
• Chemicals to monitor: polysaccharides, lipids, glycolipids, protein fragments or peptides, quorum sensing molecules, metabolites
• 3D Chemistry: spatial resolution of the biofilm
• Visualization of biofilm: Cryo TEM (cryo-electron microscopy), hyperspectral imaging, etc.
The company is NOT looking for : Isolated capabilities for analytical characterization of biofilm