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Download Honours Project Outline 2014 DR ANNE Mai
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Honours Project Outline 2014 DR ANNE Mai-Prochnow Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), North Ryde Email: [email protected] Tel: +612 9490 8451 Research area: Investigating mechanisms of interactions of gas plasma with bacterial biofilms. Intersection of microbiology, chemistry and physics. Biofilms, Microbial Inactivation, Microscopy, Protein identification, Plasma nanoscience, Food science Characterise the proteome of bacteria exposed to cold atmospheric pressure plasma It is well established that plasmas (ionised gases) are able to kill bacteria. Several different instruments applying cold plasma technology are already used in medical and industrial settings for sterilisation purposes as an alternative to antibiotics or heat treatment. However, the exact mode of action of plasma on bacteria is still under investigation. It has been suggested that plasma causes permeabilisation of bacterial cell walls and membranes as a first point of effect. This project will investigate potential changes to cell membrane proteins in Pseudomonas aeruginosa cells before and after plasma treatment. A method to detect potential changes will be developed using ESI-MS (Electron spray ionization - mass spectrometry). Specifically the objectives of the project are to: 1. Expose P. aeruginosa cells to cold atmospheric pressure plasma using an atmospheric pressure plasma jet (kINPen 09, INP Greifswald, Germany) 2. Detect changes in cell membrane protein composition after plasma exposure using a. 2D PAGE (two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis) b. ESI-MS 3. Compare different detection methods for protein composition of cell membranes The laboratory aspect of this project will be undertaken in the microbiology/chemistry group of CSIRO in North Ryde (Riverside Corporate Park, Julius Ave) under the supervision of Dr. Anne Mai-Prochnow. The candidate will work with an interdisciplinary team at the intersection of microbiology, chemistry and physics.
