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Microfluidic Device to Competitively Measure Biofilm Dispersion Potential

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Quantify biofilm dispersion in a fungal infection in vitro setting.

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Project Overview

The dispersion of cells from biofilms allows fungi to relocate and seed new locations, often in infectious manners, making dispersion one of the most malevolent aspects of a biofilm complication. Invasive medical devices, such as central venous catheters, can easily be colonized by such biofilms; 80-90% of these infections are caused by a particular fungal species, Candida albicans. 21-32% of patients infected with C. albicans do not survive the infection. The goal of this project is to design and test a device (or devices) where multiple biofilms may be cultured and their dispersion potential competitively monitored in an array of channels. The device should allow the biofilm to be exposed to different environmental conditions such as nutrient depletion or anti-fungal drugs, so that the effect of the environment on biofilm dispersion may be tested quantifiably. Different mutant strains/patients samples can be tested using this platform to establish clinical relevance.

Team Picture

Team members from left to right: Adrian Omidfar, Grace Li, Simon Schirber, Conor Pedersen
Team members from left to right: Adrian Omidfar, Grace Li, Simon Schirber, Conor Pedersen

Contact Information

Team Members

  • Grace Li - Team Leader
  • Adrian Omidfar - Communicator
  • Conor Pedersen - BSAC & BWIG
  • Simon Schirber - BPAG

Advisor and Client

  • Prof. Tracy Jane Puccinelli - Advisor
  • Prof. Megan McClean - Client
  • Stephanie Geller - Alternate Contact

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