Supervisor: Asst. Prof. Cao Bin

Project Title: Biofilm-based biodegradation: Molecular mechanism and biofilm engineering

In most natural and engineered environments, microbes are commonly found in the form of biofilms. Previous studies have suggested that the biofilm mode of life provides a range of advantages to the cells and biofilm-based bioprocesses have been widely applied for industrial and municipal wastewater treatment. Although biofilm biology has raised a huge interest, the interaction between biofilm and contaminant and its impact on biofilm-based environmental bioprocesses still need to be well characterized. The objective of Yichao’s study is to explore the molecular mechanism of biofilm-based biodegradation and to engineer robust biofilms for enhanced biodegradation.