Research is a Key Component to our Biology Programs

Research is a focus at Northeastern University and within the Department of Biology. We offer students at all levels of study the opportunity to participate in on-going research efforts whether with our academic researchers or through our Co-operative Education Program. Undergraduate Biology major, Kevin Gozzi has worked with Prof. Yunrong (Win) Chai for four years now to examine the signals that trigger biofilm formation in bacteria.

“It’s well known that many bacterial species can transmit small volatile chemicals through the air,” Chai said. “Bacteria are able to sense those airborne signals in the environment. It’s like a language for them.”

Using that language is one of the main ways that bacteria communicate and undergo biofilm formation. A biofilm is a multicellular community that microorganisms develop to adhere to a surface – dental plaque is an example – and is a growing issue due to the ability of these aggregated microorganisms to resist antibacterial agents. This can cause contamination in medical equipment or infection in patients with indwelling medical devices, such as catheters.

“People claim that biofilm formation is one of the main reasons that bacteria become antibiotic resistant, or tolerant in some cases,” Chai said.

The researchers’ mission is to understand the mechanism of biofilm formation well enough to “prevent the bacteria from talking to each other,” as Gozzi puts it. –COS News Article by Gwendolyn Schanker, Journalism and Biology, 2018