Perfectus Biomed are excited to support The National Biofilms Innovation Centre (NBIC) as they launch their biofilm awareness campaign, #BiofilmAware, which will run over the next 12 months.
Biofilms are well known to a number of research and development disciplines, but not to the general public. What they are, how they are formed and how they impact our world, generally is still a mystery to those outside the scientific community. Through a blend of content, events and outreach activities #BiofilmAware will work to raise awareness of NBIC and its research, and the many societal and economic impacts of biofilms. A highlight of the campaign will be the introduction of the UK’s first #BiofilmWeek, to be held in July 2021 to coincide with an NBIC event.
Perfectus Biomed have extensive and unique expertise in modelling biofilm growth, adapting and designing customised testing methods. Dr Westgate, CEO of Perfectus Biomed, said “Perfectus Biomed understand the potential implications for businesses, manufacturers and institutions where biofilms may be present. Knowing to look for the existence of these systems is the first step in tackling them. Given that 80% of bacteria in nature exist within a biofilm, modelling these systems is vital to preventing, eradicating and even, in certain circumstances, exploiting them. We are leading the biofilm testing arena by being the only laboratory to date to offer a suite of accredited biofilm test methods.”
The Innovation Knowledge Centre funded by the BBSRC, Innovate UK and the Hartree Centre, is the UK’s hub for accessing biofilm expertise, capability, science and innovation, and connects biofilm specialists across the UK, providing a mechanism for industrial partners to explore their unmet needs with researchers to achieve breakthrough innovation. The centre also supports the development of technologies to prevent, detect, manage and engineer biofilms through translational Proof of Concept funding.
Dr Mark Richardson, NBIC CEO said, “A key part of NBIC’s role is Public Engagement and Outreach. At a time when each one of us has become acutely aware of the fragility of our relationship with the natural world, then as well as progressing the delivery of innovations, this is a vital activity for us to undertake. This campaign is geared to communicate the impact of biofilms to society and the general public. It will help us to understand public concerns and allow us to communicate the importance of controlling and exploiting microbial communities”.
Perfectus Biomed are a leading global provider of GLP-compliant, ISO 17025 accredited biofilm models and have experience across a number of sectors including oral biofilms, wound care, medical devices, orthopaedics and industrial biofilms. Test methods range from high throughput screens to complex flow models designed to mimic ‘real-world situations’ in order to assess antimicrobial products designed to address the prevention and removal of biofilms.
For more information about the types of biofilm testing Perfectus Biomed can offer contact our experts at info@perfectusbiomed.com or call +44 (0) 1925 737237.
About the National Biofilms Innovation Centre (NBIC)
The National Biofilms Innovation Centre (NBIC) is an Innovation Knowledge Centre (IKC) funded by the BBSRC, Innovate UK and the Hartree Centre and is led by four Universities (Edinburgh, Liverpool, Southampton and Nottingham), with a consortium of 52 academic partner institutions across the UK. It is the central hub where academia, industry, government, and public policy come together to tackle the grand challenges biofilms present, impacting ~$5 trillion in global economic activity, from food and health to ships, clean water and energy. NBIC’s mission is to establish a network of research and innovation capacity to catalyse partnerships with industry to achieve breakthrough innovations and impact.
Contact
Natasha Nater – Communications Manager natashan@biofilms.ac.uk | +44 (0) 2380 594446 | www.biofilms.ac.uk
National Biofilms Innovation Centre, Building 85, Institute of Life Sciences, University Road, Southampton, SO17 1BJ