US Partnering Award: Building a globally leading partnership between NBIC and CBE international biofilm centres.
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Southampton
Department Name: Sch of Biological Sciences
Abstract
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| Description | This workshop brought together key complementary academic expertise and thought-leadership in biofilms, contamination of metal surfaces and biocorrosion processes across the life and physical sciences and engineering domains within NBIC, CBE and internationally in order to identify the key knowledge gaps and research challenges for future projects and research collaboration. Invited workshop participants from NBIC partner organisations and industry leaders shared their unmet needs and current state of knowledge of interactions between complex microbial communities and metals, with a focus on the challenge of microbiologically-influenced corrosion (MIC), and to identify projects and actionable ways forward. |
| Exploitation Route | The main themes that emerged from these discussions are: What are the key challenges? Being able to model where and when a biofilm may form Remote/online detection and monitoring of biofilm formation, early warning if MIC is taking place Prevention or the complete removal of biofilms through non-hazardous mechanisms Standardisation of methods/models to assess corrosion/the causative biofilm composition in various environments Providing tools and models/methods that are suitable for the end user Understanding the initiation times between bacterial contamination and biofilm formation to active corrosion. What is the emerging science and technologies that could address these challenges? Joined up interdisciplinary approaches in a collaborative effort to consider: Mechanisms and models of the interactions of the donor/inoculum/metal Surface science Senor technologies Materials Costings technologies Ensuring that offshore wind structures and the water industry are also included when addressing these challenges Other key points that came out of the breakout discussions: The need for a platform to bring together a 'community forum village to facilitate collaboration across multiple disciplines and organisations. Effective communication with end-users about what microbial corrosion is (and isn't). The development of training and education programmes |
| Sectors | Education,Energy |
| URL | https://www.biofilms.ac.uk/microbe-metal-interactions-report/ |
| Description | The award has supported further development of NBIC and CBE collaboration in biofilm standards and policy exchanges. This resulted in further funding granted for workshops and exchanges across the two countries. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2020 |
| Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Energy,Environment,Healthcare,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
| Impact Types | Economic,Policy & public services |
| Description | Formation of the International Biofilm Standards Task Group with our partners at CBE and SNBC (Jeremy Webb and Mark Richardson) |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Membership of a guideline committee |
| URL | https://www.biofilms.ac.uk/international-standards-task-group/ |
| Description | NBIC Microbe-Metal interactions workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | The main objective of this workshop was to bring together key complementary academic and industry expertise and thought-leadership in biofilms, contamination of metal surfaces and biocorrosion processes across the life and physical sciences and engineering domains within NBIC, CBE and internationally in order to identify the key knowledge gaps and research challenges for future projects and research collaboration. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |