Microbiology Lab

Presentation

The lab's areas of expertise are mainly focused on three lines of research:

Microbial biodegradation of polymers.
Formation of biofilms on surfaces.
Microbial resistance to disinfectants.

In the first case, bacterial and fungal biodegradation of polyesters, polyamides and other polymers is studied. A second line of research involves the formation of biofilms on contact lenses and other systems, characterizing de microbial ecology and the health risk involved in its development.

The lab is provided with the basic equipment needed in a microbiology lab: heaters and incubators, laminar flow cabinets, fridges and freezers, ovens, autoclaves, centrifuge, spectrophotometer, baths, ultrasonic baths, membrane filtration equipment, luminometer, etc. Microscopic techniques with nuclear markers have been applied for the study of microorganisms in the biofilms.

A Microscopy Lab, shared with the Ocular Anatomy and Histology Lab and fitted out with a couple of microscopes with digital/conventional image acquisition system and a binocular magnifying glass, is also available.

Lines of research (and sublines) involved: Contactology and Applied Microbiology (24109901-00) and subline -01

Key words: Microbial colonization of contact lenses, formation of biofilms, microbial biodegradation of polymers, microbial resistance to disinfectants.

Research Team

Marisol Marqués Calvo PhD
Jordi Morató i Farreras, PhD
Marta Cerdà (PQS), PhD

Location

Building TR8
Address: Violinista Vellsolà, 37
Terrassa 08222
Telf.: 93 739 83 34/83 28 Fax: 0034 93 739 83 01

E-mail

marques@oo.upc.es
morato@oo.upc.es
mcerda@oo.upc.es