Objetivo
Biofilms are communities of cells attached to an abiotic surface that are enclosed within a glycocalyx. They cause significant health care problems, since they form on implants, stents and catheters, and lead to obstruction and chronic or recurring infect ions that often are recalcitrant to treatment with antimicrobials. This has a negative impact on the well-being of the patient, and results in a rise in health care costs.
A major goal must therefore be to develop methods to prevent biofilm formation, which can be achieved more readily if we understand the process fully. This project aims to identify factors that contribute to bacterial biofilm formation, maintenance and dispersal, and will focus specifically on catheter related urinary tract infections (CAUTI). CAUTI are among the most prevalent nosocomial infections, especially in geriatric and urological wards and thus will increase in significance with the increase in life expectancy. The two specific objectives of this proposal are to examine whether there are biofilm specific genes, and to identify genes that are required for either biofilm maturation or dispersal.
The objectives will be achieved using the recombinase-based in vivo expression technology (RIVET) method that we will be introducing to the biofilm field, but that has been successful in analysing host-pathogen interactions. This method, which consists of a sensitive, genome wide genetic screen for promoter activity, has specific advantages. This includes documentation of gene expression that occurs in only a small percentage of the population, and also of expression that occurs only transiently. Both aspects are important due to the heterogeneous, changing nature of the biofilm.
To summarize, the project introduces to this field a broadly applicable method that complements current approaches, will help establish the applicantions research program in the EU, and is likely to provide new insights into biofilm formation.
Ámbito científico
Palabras clave
Convocatoria de propuestas
FP6-2002-MOBILITY-12
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