Department of Biomedical Engineering

GBE 355 | Course Introduction and Application Information

Course Name

Microbial Biofilms

Code	Semester	Theory (hour/week)	Application/Lab (hour/week)	Local Credits	ECTS
GBE 355	SPRING	3	0	3	5

Prerequisites	None
Course Language	English
Course Type	ELECTIVE_COURSE
Course Level	First Cycle
Mode of Delivery	Face to Face
Teaching Methods and Techniques of the Course	Lecture/Presentation & Discussion & Grup Study & Q&A
National Occupational Classification Code	-
Course Coordinator	Dr. Öğr. Üyesi Fatma Pınar Gördesli Duatepe
Course Lecturer(s)	Dr. Öğr. Üyesi Fatma Pınar Gördesli Duatepe
Assistant(s)	-

Course Objectives

The aim of this course is to explain the formation and dispersion processes of microbial biofilms and the environmental signals and signaling networks regulating these processes, to provide information about biofilm infections, biofouling, and the strategies to combat biofilms.

Learning Outcomes

The students who succeeded in this course;

Name	Description	PC Sub	* Contribution Level
Name	Description	PC Sub	1	2	3	4	5
LO1	Describe the life cycle of microbial biofilms,	2		X
LO2	Explain the environmental signals and signaling networks regulating the formation and dispersion of microbial biofilms,	2		X
LO3	Compare the methods that trigger the dispersion of biofilms,	4		X
LO4	Define the role of microbial biofilms in chronic and implant-associated infections,	4		X
LO5	Discuss the strategies developed for the control and prevention of biofilm formation on biotic and abiotic surfaces.	5.1				X

Course Description

This course covers the formation of microbial biofilms, the structure and functions of the extracellular polymeric substance synthesized in biofilm formation, environmental signals and intracellular and intercellular signaling networks regulating the biofilm formation and dispersion processes, and biofouling on surfaces, chronic infections and implant-associated infections caused by biofilms. In addition, this course also provides information on the current strategies developed to combat biofilms.

Related Sustainable Development Goals

Course Category	Core Courses
	Major Area Courses	X
	Supportive Courses
	Media and Managment Skills Courses
	Transferable Skill Courses

WEEKLY SUBJECTS AND RELATED PREPARATION STUDIES

Week	Subjects	Required Materials	Learning Outcome
1	Introduction to biofilms	Staffan Kjelleberg, Michael Givskov. The Biofilm Mode of Life: Mechanisms and Adaptations, 1st Edition. Horizon Bioscience, 2007. Chapter 1	LO1
2	Mechanisms of bacterial adhesion, biofilm formation, biofilm life cycle	Staffan Kjelleberg, Michael Givskov. The Biofilm Mode of Life: Mechanisms and Adaptations, 1st Edition. Horizon Bioscience, 2007. Chapter 2 and Chapter 3	LO1
3	Functions and components of extracellular polymeric biofilm matrix (EPS)	Staffan Kjelleberg, Michael Givskov. The Biofilm Mode of Life: Mechanisms and Adaptations, 1st Edition. Horizon Bioscience, 2007. Chapter 4	LO1
4	Regulatory signaling networks of biofilm formation and dispersion, and cyclic diguanylate monophosphate (c-di GMP)	Staffan Kjelleberg, Michael Givskov. The Biofilm Mode of Life: Mechanisms and Adaptations, 1st Edition. Horizon Bioscience, 2007. Chapter 5	LO2
5	Regulatory signaling networks of biofilm formation and dispersion, and quorum sensing	Staffan Kjelleberg, Michael Givskov. The Biofilm Mode of Life: Mechanisms and Adaptations, 1st Edition. Horizon Bioscience, 2007. Chapter 6 Rina Rani Ray, Moupriya Nag, Dibyajit Lahiri. Biofilm-Mediated Diseases: Causes and Controls, 1st Edition. Springer Nature, 2021. Chapter 2	LO2
6	Biofilm dispersion	Staffan Kjelleberg, Michael Givskov. The Biofilm Mode of Life: Mechanisms and Adaptations, 1st Edition. Horizon Bioscience, 2007. Chapter 9	LO3
7	Biofilms and biofouling	Rina Rani Ray, Moupriya Nag, Dibyajit Lahiri. Biofilm-Mediated Diseases: Causes and Controls, 1st Edition. Springer Nature, 2021. Chapter 4	LO3
8	Midterm Exam		-
9	Biofilms and chronic infections	Rina Rani Ray, Moupriya Nag, Dibyajit Lahiri. Biofilm-Mediated Diseases: Causes and Controls, 1st Edition. Springer Nature, 2021. Chapter 4 and Chapter 5	LO4
10	Biofilms and implant-associated infections	Rina Rani Ray, Moupriya Nag, Dibyajit Lahiri. Biofilm-Mediated Diseases: Causes and Controls, 1st Edition. Springer Nature, 2021. Chapter 7	LO4
11	Biofilms and antimicrobial resistance	Rina Rani Ray, Moupriya Nag, Dibyajit Lahiri. Biofilm-Mediated Diseases: Causes and Controls, 1st Edition. Springer Nature, 2021. Chapter 8	LO4
12	Control and inhibition of biofilm formation, strategies that trigger biofilm dispersion	Rina Rani Ray, Moupriya Nag, Dibyajit Lahiri. Biofilm-Mediated Diseases: Causes and Controls, 1st Edition. Springer Nature, 2021. Chapter 9 and Chapter 10	LO5
13	Novel treatment strategies for biofilm infections	Rina Rani Ray, Moupriya Nag, Dibyajit Lahiri. Biofilm-Mediated Diseases: Causes and Controls, 1st Edition. Springer Nature, 2021. Chapter 10	LO5
14	Student Presentations		-
15	Semester Review		-
16	Final Exam		-

Course Notes/Textbooks	-
Suggested Readings/Materials	-

EVALUATION SYSTEM

Semester Activities	Number	Weighting	LO1	LO2	LO3	LO4	LO5
Homework / Assignments	1	15			X	X	X
Presentation / Jury	1	20					X
Midterm	1	25	X	X	X
Final Exam	1	40	X	X	X	X
Total	4	100

ECTS / WORKLOAD TABLE

Semester Activities	Number	Duration (Hours)	Workload
Participation	-	-	-
Theoretical Course Hours	16	3	48
Laboratory / Application Hours	-	-	-
Study Hours Out of Class	14	2	28
Field Work	-	-	-
Quizzes / Studio Critiques	-	-	-
Portfolio	-	-	-
Homework / Assignments	1	15	15
Presentation / Jury	1	18	18
Project	-	-	-
Seminar / Workshop	-	-	-
Oral Exams	-	-	-
Midterms	1	18	18
Final Exam	1	23	23
		Total	150

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES AND PROGRAM QUALIFICATIONS RELATIONSHIP

#	PC Sub	Program Competencies/Outcomes	* Contribution Level
#	PC Sub	Program Competencies/Outcomes	1	2	3	4	5
1	Engineering Knowledge: Knowledge of mathematics, science, basic engineering, computation, and related engineering discipline-specific topics; the ability to apply this knowledge to solve complex engineering problems.
	1	Mathematics
	2	Science
	3	Basic Engineering
	4	Computation
	5	Related engineering discipline-specific topics
	6	The ability to apply this knowledge to solve complex engineering problems
2	Problem Analysis: Ability to identify, formulate and analyze complex engineering problems using basic knowledge of science, mathematics and engineering, and considering the UN Sustainable Development Goals relevant to the problem being addressed.			LO1 LO2
3	Engineering Design: The ability to devise creative solutions to complex engineering problems; the ability to design complex systems, processes, devices or products to meet current and future needs, considering realistic constraints and conditions.
	1	Ability to design creative solutions to complex engineering problems
	2	Ability to design complex systems, processes, devices or products to meet current and future needs, considering realistic constraints and conditions
4	Use of Techniques and Tools: Ability to select and use appropriate techniques, resources, and modern engineering and computing tools, including estimation and modeling, for the analysis and solution of complex engineering problems, while recognizing their limitations.			LO3 LO4
5	Research and Investigation: Ability to use research methods to investigate complex engineering problems, including literature research, designing and conducting experiments, collecting data, and analyzing and interpreting results.
	1	Literature research for the study of complex engineering problems				LO5
	2	Designing experiments
	3	Ability to use research methods, including conducting experiments, collecting data. analyzing and interpreting results
6	Global Impact of Engineering Practices: Knowledge of the impacts of engineering practices on society, health and safety, economy, sustainability, and the environment, within the context of the UN Sustainable Development Goals; awareness of the legal implications of engineering solutions.
	1	Knowledge of the impacts of engineering practices on society, health and safety, economy, sustainability, and the environment, within the context of the UN Sustainable Development Goals
	2	Awareness of the legal implications of engineering solutions
7	Ethical Behavior: Acting in accordance with the principles of the engineering profession, knowledge about ethical responsibility; awareness of being impartial, without discrimination, and being inclusive of diversity.
	1	Acting in accordance with the principles of the engineering profession, knowledge about ethical responsibility ethical responsibility
	2	Awareness of being impartial and inclusive of diversity, without discriminating on any subject
8	Individual and Teamwork: Ability to work effectively, individually and as a team member or leader on interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary teams (face-to-face, remote or hybrid).
	1	Ability to work individually and within the discipline
	2	Ability to work effectively as a team member or leader in multidisciplinary teams (face-to-face, remote or hybrid)
9	Verbal and Written Communication: Taking into account the various differences of the target audience (such as education, language, profession) on technical issues.
	1	Ability to communicate verbally
	2	Ability to communicate effectively in writing
10	Project Management: Knowledge of business practices such as project management and economic feasibility analysis; awareness of entrepreneurship and innovation.
	1	Knowledge of business practices such as project management and economic feasibility analysis
	2	Awareness of entrepreneurship and innovation
11	Lifelong Learning: Lifelong learning skills that include being able to learn independently and continuously, adapting to new and developing technologies, and thinking questioningly about technological changes.