Phototrophic biofilms and their potential applications: towards the development of a unifying concept

Objective

Phototrophic biofilms are communities, driven by photosynthesing microorganisms, and occurring on interfaces in terrestrial and aquatic environments. Such biofilms cause biofouling on e.g. submersed objects and monuments, but also have a great bioremediation potential for water and soils. PHOBIA proposes to grow air-exposed and aquatic phototrophic biofilms on soft and hard substrata in a specially designed incubator, in which microenvironment, architecture, growth, and biodiversity on the biofilm communities will be analysed, and in which their major physiological processes will be quantified. In contrast to heterotrophic biofilms, predictive models are not available for phototrophic biofilms. Our objective is to develop a unifying model of a phototrophic biofilm, and to use that for management and control of phototrophic biofilms in existing and new applications.

Programme(s)

• FP5-LIFE QUALITY - Specific Programme for research, technological development and demonstration on "Quality of life and management of living resources", 1998-2002

Topic(s)

• 1.1.1.-3. - Key action The "Cell factory"

Funding Scheme

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Coordinator

NETHERLANDS INSTITUTE OF ECOLOGY

Address

Korringaweg 7
4400 AC Yerseke
Netherlands

Participants (5)

DELFT UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

Netherlands

Address

Julianalaan 67
2628 BC Delft

INSTITUTO DE TECNOLOGIA QUIMICA E BIOLOGICA - UNIVERSIDADE NOVA DE LISBOA

Portugal

Address

Avenida Da Republica, Estacao Agronomica Nacional
Oeiras

UFZ-UMWELTFORSCHUNGSZENTRUM LEIPZIG-HALLE GMBH

Germany

Address

Brueckstrasse 3A
39114 Magdeburg

UNIVERSIT DEGLI STUDI DI ROMA TOR VERGATA

Italy

Address

Via Della Ricerca Scientifica
00133 Roma

UNIVERSITY OF COPENHAGEN

Denmark

Address

Strandpromenaden 5
3000 Helsingoer