Shirin Ghods

Citation

Thesis Title
Investigation of Biosynthesis of Exopolysaccharides within the Biofilm Matrix of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae

Read article at Massey Research Online:

Polysaccharides are highly abundant natural biopolymers which have significant biological functions in living organisms. They are important for bacterial pathogenesis, while some have been harnessed by humans for industrial and biomedical applications due to their unique chemical compositions and properties. Mrs Ghods researched biofilm formation and exopolysaccharide production by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae, respectively known as human and plant pathogens. She examined bactericidal compounds controlling growth of Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae within biofilm, and a novel exopolysaccharide was reported to constitute its biofilm matrix. The biosynthesis of alginate exopolysaccharide produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa in mucoid biofilms was also researched. Her contribution to understanding the biosynthesis of bacterial polysaccharides and their properties could provide the necessary knowledge to establish preliminary assessments for producing tailor-made alginate in non-pathogenic and heterologous hosts towards developing novel biomaterial for various industrial and biomedical applications.

Supervisors
Professor Bernd Rehm
Professor Jasna Rakonjac