Global Innovation in Wound Care Summit Series Part 2: Biofilm Masterclass Moderator Miss Negin Shamsian Consultant Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon (Locum) London, United Kingdom
So, What is Biofilm? Biofilm is defined as one of the oldest lifeforms on Earth and is something developed by bacterial organisms. It is only within the last 40 years that Biofilm has been given this name in Science and Medicine; and it is the natural and predominant
Introduction
way that bacteria live and thrive. Bacteria will attach
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themselves to a surface, which can either be liquid or mmersive Interactive Event; Taking wound care
solid, and once they’re securely attached, they secrete
into a new dimension. Hosted by Dr N. Shamsian
a polymeric matrix around themselves – This is what
in partnership with Dr M. Sanders and Dr P Bowler.
we call Biofilm. Biofilm acts as a protective layer that
Bowler has an extensive history and career within
defends the bacterial organism from hostilities within the environment or hosted organism.
wound care development and research with over
Supported by
30 years of experience in microbiology, particularly
This Biofilm layer contains exopolysaccharides – high-
focused on infections. He has been involved in the
molecular-weight polymers that are composed of
development of wound dressings alongside various
sugar residues and are secreted by a microorganism
independent consultants. Sanders has worked for
into the surrounding environment – DNA and RNA.
a diagnostic wound care company that developed
Both DNA and RNA are almost identical, are used
diagnostics for bacterial status that was sold back into
to store genetic information, but they have differing
the wound-check business. After 16 years working
base pairs and can be found in various places of the
with the company, he joined a consulting firm where
cell, but mostly within the nucleus. Due to this nature
he expanded this experimental field by developing
and structure of the Biofilm, it is easy for them to
numerous products for wound care and targeted the
adapt by altering or changing their phenotype and
anti-inflammatory stages, and infection whilst also
genotype for survival. This presents a challenge in
maintaining an interest in the fields of cancer and
the microbiology world of Science and Medicine as
brain injury through studying neuroinflammatory
it means antibiotics are ineffective in the treatment
processes. He now works in partnership with the
of bacterial infections that include such complex
consulting firm ProDevLabs who are supporting the
structures.
event discussed today.
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Wound Masterclass - Vol 2 - December 2023
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