NTS partners with the Center for Medical Mycology to offer in vitro models of Candida biofilms to characterize formation on clinically relevant medical devices, such as dentures (polymethylmethacrylate), catheters (silicone elastomer), and contact lenses (soft contact lenses).
Bacterial and mixed species biofilms are also a specialty of the laboratory. Quantification of biofilms is performed using colorimetric assays that determine metabolic activity and dry weight determination, which measures the total biomass of biofilms. Morphology and architecture of biofilms are visualized using fluorescence, SEM, and confocal scanning laser microscopy microscopic techniques. Assessment of the activity of antifungal and/or antibacterial agents against biofilms is assessed using the XTT-based metabolic activity assay.
NTS has access to an established ~50,000 sample library of relevant microbial isolates and defined microbial populations (“defined flora”).
NTS has access to an established ~50,000 sample library of relevant microbial isolates and defined microbial populations (“defined flora”), which currently exists in the University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center and the Center for Medical Mycology and under the direction of Dr. Ghannoum. This repository can facilitate standardized cultivation of microbial or fungal organisms based on customer requests. One highlighted capability is the standardized platforms available for the growth and expansion of microbial, fungal, and mixed species biofilms.
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