Speaker: James P. Keener, Distinguished Professor of Mathematics
From: Adjunct Professor of Bioengineering, University of Utah
Date/Time/Room: Friday, April 16, 2004 / 4:30 PM / Hayes-Healy 127

Title: The Dynamics of Growing Biofilm

Abstract: The growth of biofilm is a major problem in many industrial and health related settings, as it is the major cause of hospital infections and manufacturing production disruptions, for example.In this talk, I will describe several mechanisms involved in the differentiation of biofilm-forming bacteria and the formation of heterogeneous biofilm structures. In particular, I will use mathematical models and analysis to describe possible mechanisms for quorum sensing, for starvation induced formation of heterogeneous structures and for the formation of low density channels in biofilms.