This federal Project Grant award from the National Science Foundation's (NSF) Biological Sciences program (CFDA 47.074) supports the development of an innovative 3D imaging tool called HOLOCON. The $260,183 award to the Regents of the University of Minnesota will enable the creation of HOLOCON, which combines 3D holographic imaging and fluorescent microscopy to simultaneously visualize and quantify free-swimming bacteria and biofilms at the single-cell level. This new tool will allow researchers to observe and study the dynamic interactions between planktonic and sessile bacterial populations, providing critical insights for controlling harmful biofilms in industrial and medical settings. The project aims to integrate the HOLOCON system with bacterial genetics, biochemistry, and surface engineering approaches to gain a comprehensive understanding of biofilm resistance and colonization mechanisms. The broader impacts of the project include training future scientists and engineers, as well as inspiring public interest through educational outreach activities.
Generated 3/18/25, 4:49 AM