Structural and functional characteristics of biofilms and biopolymers

• Grant number: 06/06397-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: April 01, 2007
• End date: March 31, 2011
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Physics - Condensed Matter Physics
• Principal Investigator: Mônica Alonso Cotta
• Grantee: Gabriela Simone Lorite
• Host Institution: Instituto de Física Gleb Wataghin (IFGW). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

In this project we will apply scanning probe microscopy techniques to the structural and functional characterization of Xylella fastidiosa biofilms as well as synthetic melanin thin films. In the former case, we intend to analyze the adhesion process of bacteria onto thin films of different materials and surface patterns (micro and nanometer-sized). The influence of the culture media (addition of nutrients, metallic ions and nanoparticles) should also be investigated. For these purposes we intend to use atomic force microscopy measurements (topography, phase and force spectroscopy), which can be carried out simultaneously with optical and fluorescence microscopy. Moreover, in an extension of previous works, we intend to observe the effect of solutions with different pH on the structure of synthetic melanin thin films, in order to verify the possibility of using this material as a hydrogen storage system.

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

LORITE, GABRIELA S.; JANISSEN, RICHARD; CLERICI, JOAO H.; RODRIGUES, CAROLINA M.; TOMAZ, JUAREZ P.; MIZAIKOFF, BORIS; KRANZ, CHRISTINE; DE SOUZA, ALESSANDRA A.; COTTA, MONICA A.. Surface Physicochemical Properties at the Micro and Nano Length Scales: Role on Bacterial Adhesion and Xylella fastidiosa Biofilm Development. PLoS One, v. 8, n. 9, SEP 20 2013. (06/06397-6, 10/51748-7)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

LORITE, Gabriela Simone. Investigation on physico-chemical processes during adhesion and biofilm development of Xylella fastidiosa. 2011. Doctoral Thesis - Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Instituto de Física Gleb Wataghin Campinas, SP.