Want to gain skills on how to grow and investigate biofilms in a laboratory setting?
This intensive eight-day course is designed to equip participants with cutting-edge knowledge and practical skills in biofilm research. Biofilm growth is the predominant mode of existence for most microorganisms in nature, presenting unique challenges for laboratory experiments. This course will teach you how to grow and investigate biofilms, focusing on the physiology of bacteria in biofilm form and the specific techniques required to study them.
You’ll gain hands-on experience in setting up and operating biofilm flow cell systems, using advanced imaging techniques such as confocal microscopy, performing fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and conducting mathematical image processing with COMSTAT analysis. The course also includes lectures by leading researchers in the field of microbial biofilms, providing you with both theoretical insights and practical know-how.
For more details on scope, form and exam, please see course base.
Content
Biofilm growth is the predominant mode of existence for most microorganisms in nature. In this course, you will learn how to perform laboratory experiments with biofilm growing microorganisms, which poses significantly other challenges that growing the cells in suspension.
The techniques include setup and running of biofilm flow cell systems, fluorescence in situ hybridization, various advanced imaging techniques, image analysis, flow cytometry, and more. The course will be partly practical with hands-on exercises complemented with lectures by prominent researchers in the field of microbial biofilms. The actual course contents may vary a little from year to year.
Learning outcomes
At the end of this course, participants will have an understanding of:
A participant who has met the objectives of the course will be able to:
Perform biofilm flow cell setup and operation: Manipulation and monitoring of growing biofilms, antibiotic treatment of biofilms, viability assessment, on-line measurements of oxygen in biofilms, harvesting of biofilms.
Perform biofilm micro titer tray assays.
Use advanced optical microscopy techniques: Confocal microscopy and fluorescence microscopy, time-lapse (confocal) microscopy.
Perform Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH) on embedded biofilms.
Perform simple biofilm experiments on an unknown organism that the participants bring themselves or isolate on site.
Perform mathematical image processing using COMSTAT analysis.
Perform digital image preparation and presentation (Imaris).
Present biofilm experiment results for an audience.
Important information
Here you will find important information for short course participants regarding cancellation policies, location and waitlist policies.
8 days of intensive lab work. Lectures by invited speakers. Evening sessions.
The course runs in 8 consecutive days, incl. weekend days.
Fee, registration and location
NB!
DTU PhD students must register for this course through the Study Planner
PhDs from other universities must register as a guest student through: https://www.dtu.dk/english/education/phd/intro/guest-phd/guest_courses/registration_form
Course fee
Industry and other participants: DKK 30.000
The course fee does not include accommodation or meals
Registration:
When registering, send an e-mail to Claus Sternberg, cst@bio.dtu.dk. Qualified sign-ups will be accepted on a first come first serve basis.
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