b'Interventional ThemesPREVENTION, DETECTION, MANAGEMENT AND ENGINEERING OF BIOFILMS (PDME)NBICS PDME RESEARCH STRATEGY DELIVERING GLOBAL IMPACTSTRATEGIC THEMES ENABLING PLATFORMS ADDRESSING BIOFILM GRAND CHALLENGESCHALLENGESPREVENT Advanced/integrated imagingIntelligent responsive surfaces/coatingsFood securityacross scales from nano to micro levelHealthcareIntegrated multi-omicsDETECT Real time non-destructive biolmClean water & sanitationin situ detectionSpatially resolved delivery systems Aordable clean energyMANAGE Bespoke biolm models/manipulation Cross-sectoral technology integration Economic growthto manage natural biolmsArticial intelligence/modelling Industry innovationEngineer bespoke microbial Reduce inequalitiesENGINEER Biolm standards communities for required outputsClimate changeOver the past 6 years we have established a national research agenda addressing the PDME themes in collaboration with our academic and industry partners and in consultation with end users. Our thematic and sector roadmaps identify a clear path to successful creation of value from biofilm research. Our model harnesses NBICs world class underpinning research and infrastructure by dedicating the resource of our Interdisciplinary Research Fellows (IRFs), who support the NBIC fundamental research and training strategy (60%), connecting this knowledge with industry by working collaboratively on R&D projects (40%). We are addressing cross-cutting biofilm technology challenges across PDME, which have been identified through our engagement activities: (i) A linked platform of integrated imaging techniques across scales (from atoms to biofilm communities) integrating physical, engineering and life sciences; (ii) Real-time, non-destructive monitoring and advanced imaging technologies and biomarkers for biofilms, available for clinical use and competitively across industrial process applications; (iii) Integrated multi-omics to understand polymicrobial interactions within biofilms; (iv) Spatially resolved and addressable delivery and monitoring of new interventions within biofilms; and (v) De novo engineering of polymicrobial communities for targeted, sector-specific applications, with particular emphasis across health, sustainability, net-zero carbon emissions and hygiene in a post-pandemic world. These state-of-the-art enabling platforms will deliver transformative impact in biofilm research and innovation across our PDME themes.PREVENT DETECT MANAGE ENGINEERLead Organisation: Lead Organisation: Lead Organisation: Lead Organisation:University of Liverpool University of Southampton University of Nottingham University of EdinburghFocuses on mapping andFocuses on the need forFocuses on understandingFocuses on the control controlling mechanisms thataccurate, quantitative biofilmthe mechanisms governingof biofilms in industrial govern microbial adhesiondetection and metrologybiofilm life cycle dynamicsenvironments and large-and colonisation at surfacesacross multiple scales,and development,scale infrastructure, and by deploying advancedthrough innovative sensing,physicochemical properties,the engineering of bespoke interdisciplinary techniques. tracking and diagnosticlevels of complexity andbiofilms for targeted technologies. their interactions with theapplications, harnessing the environment with a viewbenefits of synthetic biology to interfere with these in atools and approaches.targeted manner.24'