University Technologies International, Inc.

Andre Gerald Buret

Merle Edwin Olson

Howard Ceri

Douglas Walter Morck

Ronald Rae Read

D Grant Gall

James A Hardin

Biofilm forming organisms are incubated to form a biofilm on projections by providing a flow of liquid growth medium across projections, the direction of the flow of liquid being repeatedly changed, and an assay made of the resulting biofilm. Biofilm forming organisms are incubated to form a biofilm on projections arranged in rows, with several projections in each row, while providing a flow of liquid growth medium across each row of projections, and an assay made of the resulting biofilm. Sensitivity of the biofilm to antimicrobial reagent may be determined by treating the projections with antimicrobial reagent before carrying out the assay, by treating each row of projections with a different antimicrobial reagent, and each of the projections in a row with a different concentration of antimicrobial reagent.

Method of assaying the susceptibility of biofilms to anti-microbial agents

New utilities for epidermal growth factor (EGF) are described. In particular, EGF is useful in preventing gastrointestinal colonization by pathogens.

Method of treating gastric ulcer by administration of epidermal growth factor

Bacteria are incubated to form a biofilm on projections by providing a flow of liquid growth medium across projections, the direction of the flow of liquid being repeatedly changed, and an assay made of the resulting biofilm. Bacteria are incubated to form a biofilm on projections arranged in rows, with several projections in each row, while providing a flow of liquid growth medium across each row of projections, and an assay made of the resulting biofilm. Sensitivity of the biofilm to antibacterial reagent may be determined by treating the projections with antibacterial reagent before carrying out the assay, by treating each row of projections with a different antibacterial reagent, and each of the projections in a row with a different concentration of antibacterial reagent.

Method of growing and analyzing a biofilm

Method of making biofilms

Bacteria are incubated to form a biofilm on projections by providing a flow of liquid growth medium across projections, the direction of the flow of liquid being repeatedly changed, and an assay made of the resulting biofilm. Bacteria are incubated to form a biofilm on projections arranged in rows, with several projections in each row, while providing a flow of liquid growth medium across each row of projections, and an assay made of the resulting biofilm. Sensitivity of the biofilm to antibacterial reagent may be determined by treating the projections with antibacterial reagent before carrying out the assay, by treating each row of projections with a different antibacterial reagent, and each of the projections in a row with a different concentration of antibacterial reagent. A biofilm assay device includes a vessel including at least one channel for flow of liquid growth medium, projections arranged in at least one row and having a support for supporting the projections within the channel, and a tilt table to flow liquid growth medium along each channel in different directions across the projections. A further biofilm assay device includes a vessel including channels for flow of liquid growth medium, projections arranged in rows and having a support for supporting the projections within the channels, and a rocking table to rock the vessel and flow liquid growth medium along each channel across the projections.

Biofilm assay

A method of inhibiting or treating gastrointestinal colonization of a pathogen in an animal by administration of epidermal growth factor is described. A method of increasing weight gain in an animal by administrating epidermal growth factor is also described. The epidermal growth factor can be administered orally for example in the feed or drinking water of the animal. Since EGF is useful in inhibiting or treating intestinal colonization by a pathogen and is also effective in promoting weight gain, EGF is useful in treating a wide range of intestinal infections. In one embodiment, a method of treating or inhibiting enteric colibacillosis using epidermal growth factor is described.

Growing community of inventors

Calgary, Canada

Andre Gerald Buret