b'Proof of Concept 3AWARDED MAY 2020UNIVERSITY/PROJECT TITLE PROJECT SUMMARY RESEARCHCOLLABORATOR/SINSTITUTIONDevelop aComputational biofilm modelling has potential as a rapid,NewcastleInternational computational toollow cost route to accelerate ship fouling control coatingUniversity Paint Ltd for marine biofilmresearch & development. This project aims to develop a(AkzoNobel) & management unique computational tool to predict experimental data onUniversity of marine biofilm erosion, deformation and drag at mesoscaleSouthampton flow cell as a Proof of Concept.Biofilm productionA membrane-based bioreactor system utilising biofilmPlymouthVaricon Aqua of Phaeodactylumforming microalgae has been developed to solve theMarineSolutionstricornutum foreconomic and biological bottlenecks commonly associatedLaboratoryfucoxanthin with conventional microalgal production. This study will establish the economic viability of this novel process using the model marine diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum for the production of the high-value pigment fucoxanthin.Novel XF drugsOral fungal biofilms are common and responsible forCardiff Destiny Pharmain the topicala significant burden of infection in people. SuccessfulUniversitymanagement oftreatment is hindered by biofilm resistance and limited Candida albicansnumbers of effective antifungal drugs. This project will biofilms evaluate the novel XF drugs in combatting Candida biofilms and reducing their infection risk using mucosal mouth models.Development ofThe same species of microorganisms colonize skin andUniversity ofPerfectus molecular supportbehave as pathogens. The biofilm phenotype has beenHuddersfield Biomed Ltdto detect biofilmproposed as a trigger for infection chronicity however causing pathogensorganisms are not routinely screened for this. This project within chronicaims to identify genetic markers linked to biofilm that can be infections utilised by clinicians to detect biofilms. Rotating spiralThis project extends an existing technology based on rotatingUniversity ofUnileverbiofilm reactorspiral channels to the challenge of harnessing microbialSheffieldfor reliablebiofilms for sustainable production of valuable chemicals engineering andcurrently uneconomical to synthesise through alternative control of bacterialroutes. The constructed prototype will act as an enabling communities andtechnology and open up new markets for the industrial environments forbiotechnology sector.use in industrial biotechnologyManipulationBiofilm aggregates (diversity, function) influence nutrientsUniversity ofSeaweed & Coof gut biofilmsbioavailability from complex food matrices. We will defineGlasgowdynamics forhow gut biofilm aggregates influence iodine bioavailability enhanced iodine(nutrient of public health interest) from seaweed, an iodine-bioavailability rich food. Defining how to sustain/ engineer these biofilms will enable the industry partners to develop safe evidence-based products.DNA origamiWe aim to fight the bacteria that contribute to gum disease,University ofFrontier IP nanostructuresby creating origami-like DNA nanostructures loaded withCambridge Group plcas a tool in theantibacterial enzymes or proteins. We will optimise the DNA disruption of P.origami to bind specifically to the target bacteria and to gingivalis biofilms improve the penetration and disruption of the biofilms that they form.54'