Biofilms and hygiene

Interfacial biology and hygiene

• Prevention and use of biofilms
• Microbiological evaluation of surfaces and components in medical engineering, construction, technical applications, hygiene
• Immobilization of microorganisms on surfaces
• Localization of microbial contamination and biofilms in production streams
• Identification of the composition of biofilms
• Immobilization of microorganisms on surfaces
• Inactivation and/or reduction of microbial cells by antimicrobial surfaces, photocatalytical processes, plasma sterilization, UV treatment, ultrasound or filtration processes
• Use of signalling molecules for biosensor applications

Microbiological evaluation

• Evaluation of microbial impurity on surfaces (e.g. of medical devices, in hygiene and construction) and in production-integrated media (e. g. water)
• Testing of antimicrobial properties of specially coated surfaces
• Selection and cultivation of test organisms to evaluate modified surfaces
• Development of methods for special demands and new requirements

Development of test procedures and innovative materials

• Creating procedures to minimize the microbial and chemical load in various sectors (e. g. sterilization processes, elongation of retention times for cleansing baths, process water treatment, cost-efficient recycling of production-integrated media, wastewater treatment)
• Development of innovative materials to reduce the formation of biofilms affecting packaging supply, pipelines, medical equipment and / or for the design of antimicrobial work spaces

• Microbiological laboratories with modern equipment as well as an appropriately qualified team permit the handling of microorganisms in the risk groups 1 and 2.
• Activation units are available for the examination of photocatalytically finished surfaces, in which a biological characterization of the specimens can be carried out under defined conditions.
• Qualitative and quantitative methods of measurement to compare different materials and products.
• Methods for the evaluation of the adhesion properties and the biofilm formation under static and dynamic conditions.

• Test organisms of risk groups 1 and 2: Bacteria, fungi, algae (e.g. Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Aspergillus niger, Scenedesmus spec.)
• Mixed populations typical of the location: cell wall composition, well-known resistances, genetically determined metabolic properties
  
• Use of microorganisms with specific requirements (e.g., anaerobic cultivation conditions, methanotrophic bacteria)
• Genetically modified strains of relevant organisms for applications in biosensor development (e.g. producing fluorescent proteins)

• Raman spectrometer with 532 nm, 785 nm laser and CARS technology
• Biofilm reactoren (e.g. CDC, Drip flow, … ) 
• Individually designed flow cells
  
• Fluorescence microscopy (ZEISS Axio Observer Z1)
• Sy-Lab BacTrac 4300 for quantitative determination of bacteria
  
• Quantitative real time CR (qRT-PCR LightCycler 480)
• Identification of microorganisms using DNA barcoding (bacteria via 16S, fungi via ITS)
• Real time impedance analysis (ACEA xCELLigence) for investigation of active agents against biofilms
• Tecan Infinite 200 PRO
• Screening processes
  
• Standard procedures for evaluating antimicrobial properties of surfaces according to DIN EN ISO standards
  
• Culture-based test procedures
  
• Scanning electron microscopy (SEM)