BIOFILMS, COMPONENTS AND METHODS OF USE TO REDUCE BIOFOULING AND CONTAMINATION

摘要

Biofilms are provided which are capable of regulating their own thickness, reducing contamination and preventing biofouling. Constructs are introduced into bacteria that comprise nucleic acid molecules encoding an autoinducer synthase polypeptide, a transcriptional regulator and a biofilm dispersal protein. Nucleic acid molecules may also be introduced which encode a nitric oxide synthase, an epoxide hydrolase, or both. Biofilms of the bacteria may be used to reduce biofouling and contamination of a surface.

主权项

1. A method of reducing biofouling of a surface, said method comprising:
a) introducing into at least one bacterial cell a quorum sensing nucleic acid construct, comprising,
i. a nucleic acid molecule encoding an autoinducer synthase polypeptide;ii. a nucleic acid molecule encoding a transcriptional regulator, capable of being activated by said autoinducer synthase polypeptide; andiii. a nucleic acid molecule encoding a biofilm dispersal protein; and b) producing a biofilm of said bacterial cells, wherein said quorum sensing nucleic acid construct reduces the thickness of said biofilm compared to biofilm not comprising said quorum sensing nucleic acid construct.