From the PhD Lab: How do biofilms help keep bacteria alive? - with Josh Horton
Summary
In this episode of "From the PhD Lab," Josh Halton, a molecular microbiology researcher at the Quadram Institute, explains how bacteria form protective biofilms that pose significant risks to food safety, citing the 2022 Kinder Surprise egg recall. He details his PhD work investigating the gene MALP in Salmonella, which regulates biofilm formation and antibiotic resistance, using techniques like TARDIS to identify its role in the complex regulatory pathway. Halton also discusses the potential for using biofilms in bioremediation to break down plastics and extract metals from chemical waste.…
Topics discussed
Sponsor: Camtasia Pro
Sponsors: Zen and FlexCar
Introduction to From the PhD Lab series
Meet Josh Halton and the Quadram Institute
What are biofilms and why do they matter?
Biofilms in food safety and antibiotic resistance
The scale of biofilms and lab investigation methods
Salmonella biofilms and the Kinder Surprise recall
Regulating biofilm formation: The CSGD pathway
Discovering the MALP gene via TARDIS
Current research progress and PhD timeline
Sponsors: Camtasia Pro and Zen
Positive uses of biofilms: Bioremediation
Josh's internship experience at the Royal Institution
The importance of science communication and antibiotic resistance
Favorite bacteria: Streptococcus pneumoniae
Closing remarks and call to action
Sponsors: Camtasia Pro and Zen
Sponsor: LegalShield
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