Contact:
Kim MacQueen
University Relations
404-651-3574
[email protected]
Dr. Sid Crow, Director
Environmental Research Center
404-651-3103
Join Georgia Industry and Research for a Biofilm Brainstorm
When it comes to the world's most vexing environmental and medical problems, industry increasingly looks to university labs for solutions. Take the problem of biofilms, which form when microbes take up residence on everything from urinary catheters to automobile air conditioners. In the case of urinary catheters, biofilms cause nearly a million infections per year, increase mortality rates and can drive a patient's hospital costs up $1,000 a day.
Researchers at Georgia State University's Environmental Research Center use basic biology to help companies develop biofilm-resistant products. By developing antimicrobial surfaces for catheters, ERC microbiologists Don Ahearn, Sid Crow and Robert Simmons have been solving problems for companies like C. R. Bard, Inc., for years. This fall, Bard's Medical Division, located in Covington, Georgia, has formalized this alliance, directly contributing research and development funds to ERC teaching and research projects.
Now the ERC's novel, longtime association with industry has grown into the Biobriefings Consortia, companies joining forces in not just university-to-business but also business-to-business partnerships. Charter members of the consortia in Georgia include C. R. Bard, Inc., AirSept, Inc., headquartered in Marietta, Interface Research, Inc. of Kennesaw, Biolab, Inc. of Decatur, CIBA Vision of Norcross and Technology Resource International of Alpharetta.
The Environmental Research Center's "groundbreaking research has helped expand our understanding of the number of organisms that share the air we breathe in closed environments, and their importance to human health," notes Myron Stein, AirSept's chairman and CEO. AirSept president Tommy Potate adds that "By pooling resources and sharing findings, membership in the Consortia has allowed AirSept to expand its research and development capabilities, and helps us remain strong in key market areas."
The next step in this ongoing collaboration is the third annual Biofilm Brainstorm on October 28, an informal, open half-day seminar on current biofilm research attended by representatives from both industry and academia. Since the prevention of biofilms is relevant to a number of industrial processes including paper, plastics, carpets, filters, water treatment, medical devices, contact lenses and air conditioning systems, they can't be solved by any one approach. The Biofilm Briefings are intended to provide a forum for the mutual exchange of current technology and information.
The Biofilm Brainstorm: An Integrative Approach
Thursday, October 28, 1999
2 p.m.
Presentations, Poster Session, Tour of Laboratories and Reception
Room 218 Natural Science Center
Georgia State University
RSVP to Stephanie Hagan, 404-651-3103
For more in the Environmental Research Center, visit
http: http://www.gsu.edu/%7Ewwwour/FrontPage9_27.html
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