Biocolloids and Surfaces Laboratory

Our research activities are divided into two major themes: environmental engineering and biomedical engineering. Below you will find more details regarding current projects in these areas of research.

Environmental engineering is a highly interdisciplinary field. Our work in this area focuses on the fundamental aspects of cell or particle interactions with surfaces or interfaces of environmental interest.

Environmental Nanotechnology

TiO₂ nanoparticles are used in a wide range of consumer products and in water treatment

Environmental and health risks linked to engineered nanomaterials (evaluating the risk of groundwater contamination; investigating the cytotoxicity of selected nanomaterials)
Developing nanoscale tools for microbe detection
Read about Charles’ work on development of a QCM-D based biosensor
Engineered nanomaterials for soil and groundwater remediation

Environmental Biotechnology

A Cryptosporidium parvum oocyst

Protecting groundwater and drinking water supplies from microbial contamination (investigating microbial transport and survival over a broad range of environmental conditions)
Read about Felipe’s work on the role of oxygen tension on bacterial transport

Novel approaches for wastewater treatment

Biofilms: investigations of biofilm formation, characterization, and gene expression

Our work in this area focuses on the fundamental aspects of cell or biomolecule interactions with surfaces of biomedical interest.

Bioadhesion

Cells of E. faecalis attached to a biomaterial surface

Attachment of bacteria to the surface of biomaterials can lead to infection. We are interested in developing new approaches for prevention of cell attachment to these surfaces. Our work in this area demonstrates that a natural cranberry derived compound can reduce attachment of pathogenic bacteria to various biomaterials.
Read about Irwin’s Master’s work on bacterial attachment to biomaterials

Cell Infection and Gene Expression

SEM image of a canine kidney cell with pathogenic bacteria attached

We are studying infection of a wide range of mammalian cells by various pathogenic bacteria

Novel Diagnostics

We are working on the development of new approaches to detect changes in cell morphology and health