Biophysics of microbial surfaces is a key investigation domain to understand the molecular basis of biofilm formation.
Innovative technologies open up new avenues for characterizing, at the molecular scale, interactions between microbes and surfaces, other microbes, or biofilms.
The first session of this meeting will be dedicated to recent development and findings on the molecular factors involved in microbial adhesion.The second one will focus on single molecule techniques including atomic force microscopy, optical tweezers, PALM, STORM, super resolution microscopy etc. The third session will aim at describing the life style modifications occurring during the maturation of biofilms. Finally a last session will be devoted to materials in contact with microbes and the research performed to develop smart and safe surfaces and processes.
The aim of this meeting is to gather international specialists of microbial adhesion with a special focus on biophysical interactions occurring at the interface.
This topic is of interest in different application fields including but not limited to: food industry, transport, human and animal health, oil production, antifouling materials etc.
The SFBsponsors the prize for the best poster! Try to win 100€!
SFM travel grants
The SFMoffers 2 student travel awards of 400€ each. Indicate in your abstract that you are willing to be considered for the award!
Conditions: Be less than 30 years old and be a member of SFM
BioPhysAdh TRAVEL GRANTS
The Scientific committee will award up to 5 students abstracts with a 400 euros travel grant. Indicate in your abstract that you are willing to be considered for the award!
Biophysadh special issue
Biophysics of Microbial Surfaces
The primary existence of microorganisms is in the context of microbial communities called biofilms which allow for communal cooperation and enhanced survival in response to external stress. Since biofilms are associated with surfaces, their formation is dependent on their ability to adhere to substrates, with adhesion often considered the first step in biofilm formation. Then other adhesion mechanisms take place in order to promote cell aggregation, and further biofilm maturation. The adhesion mechanisms of microbes vary and can involve specific cell surface proteins called adhesins, complicated surface appendages such as pili, or extracellular matrix that is secreted by the microbe. The process of adhesion is highly regulated, indicative of both the biofilm cycle and the need for cellular release during the colonization of new areas.
Determining the biophysics and physico-chemistry of microbial surfaces are keys to understanding the molecular basis of biofilm formation, and for developing smart and safe anti-adhesive surfaces. There are a number of novel methods for studying microbial adhesion, biofilm maturation, and the surface modifications that impact these processes as a result of altered microbial life style in response to external factors. In recent years, innovative technologies have opened up new avenues for characterizing the interactions of microbes with surfaces, materials, other microbes and biofilms, even down to the molecular scale. In particular, single molecule techniques, such as atomic force microscopy, optical tweezers, and super-resolution microscopy (e.g. PALM, STORM), as well as correlative methods offer unique insights into these processes.
In this special issue we will begin with a focus on the molecular factors associated with microbial adhesion and biofilm formation, and the factors that affect each. Next we will examine the single molecule techniques used to study these processes. Finally the bioengineering methods to produce safer or smart materials will be discussed. The issue will be rounded off by applied work, for example how these molecular factors can be fine-tuned for the food industry, human and animal health, and the development of antifouling materials, to name a few.
The biennal European event, EuroScience Open Forum (ESOF) will take place in Toulouse, "European City of Science" from 9 to 14 July 2018. "Sharing science: towards new horizons" will be the motto of this ESOF 2018 edition, a 6-in-1 event including various sections “Science”, “Science policy”, “Science to Business”, “Careers” and “Media & Science Communication” and a “Science in the City” programme dedicated to the general public. A series of themes covering all fields of science and their relations with society are covered by this multidisciplinary event through conferences, exhibitions and satellite events.
