Biofilm

Fast and accurate regardless of sample complexity
  • Detect viable cells, in-situ in undisrupted biofilm
  • Analyze subpopulations deep in the biofilm
  • Use complex models and samples
  • Get kinetic anti-biofilm data
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Biofilms are complex communities of cells coexisting in many different subpopulations. But how do we detect dormant or slow-growing subpopulations deep in the biofilm?  Traditional methods’ fragmented view generally falls short. Symcel, on the other hand, measures the entire biofilm population holistically, no matter where the biofilm cells are located. We can measure the metabolic activity of all cells, regardless of the position within the biofilm, without the need to disturb the biofilm.

By capturing all processes, interactions, and subpopulations simultaneously, it offers the most comprehensive view and results that were previously unattainable.

ASSESS CELL VITALITY IN SITU IN THE UNDISTURBED BIOFILM

The calScreener™ measures phenotypic activity, metabolism, and survival of biofilm-embedded microbes right in the biofilm. Unlike traditional biofilm assays, there’s no need to disturb or disrupt the biofilm to study what the cells are doing. No stains, labels, or tracers required – just measure the heat flow from viable cells in their natural environment inside the biofilm.

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DETECT EVEN THE DEEPEST DORMANT SUBPOPULATIONS

The calScreener™ detects all living cells independent of growth. Even cells in slow growing subpopulations in the deepest layers of the biofilm produce detectable metabolic heat. This allows us to detect the last 0.001% of surviving cells after treatment. These subpopulations might be viable but nonculturable on an agar plate, yet the calScreener™ will detect and measure them.

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NO SAMPLE OR MODEL IS TOO COMPLEX

With the Symcel calScreener™ there is no limit to how in vivo-like your biofilm models system can be. We will be able to investigate microbial biofilm in any setting.

  • Do you want to build a semi-solid wound model with biofilm aggregates? We will see the activity cell in the aggregates.
  • Do you want to test treatments on biofilms in synthetic sputum media?
  • We will give you the killing kinetics and show the survival of subpopulations.
  • Do you want to investigate specimens directly from a chronically infected patient? We will register the microbial activity in biofilm even deep in the tissue.
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CLINICALLY RELEVANT BIOFILM MODELS

Here, we used clinically relevant synthetic cystic fibrosis sputum medium (SCFM5, Synthbiome) to pre-grow biofilm aggregates of a Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolate from a long-term infected cystic fibrosis patient. When treated with tobramycin, we are able to clearly detect the surviving subpopulations’ metabolism over a long period until it runs out of nutrients.

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