Aim
This Working Group (WG) aims to explore and advance the positive applications of biofilms in environmental biotechnology, particularly focusing on engineered microbial communities in water treatment processes. Biofilms play a crucial role in technologies such as slow sand filters (schmutzdecke), biofilters and granular sludges, contributing to efficient wastewater treatment and resource recovery. By bringing together experts from academia, industry, and government, we seek to enhance the understanding of beneficial biofilm formation and function, develop innovative engineering strategies, and promote best practices for harnessing biofilms in sustainable water treatment systems.
Working Group Co-ordinator
Dr Francis Hassard is a Senior Lecturer in Public Health Microbiology at Cranfield Water Science Institute and Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology. Dr. Hassard has over 15 years of experience in environmental biotechnology, specializing in microbial biofilms in water systems. He has led multiple research projects on biofilm formation and control, publishing extensively in the field. His expertise spans biofilm dynamics, microbial ecology, and the development of innovative strategies for engineering beneficial biofilms in water treatment processes.
Interested?
Contact Dr Francis Hassard, Cranfield University.
Activities
Coming soon: Specialised Workshop on Engineering Beneficial Biofilms (January 2025 tbc): A workshop bringing together researchers, industry professionals, and policymakers to discuss the latest advancements in engineering beneficial biofilms for water treatment.
Previously: Dr Francis Hassard chaired, and awarded the prizes for, our EBNet ECR24 conference, 24-26 July 2024, Newcastle University.
Lead organiser of the EBNet/NBIC Water Biofilms seminar series:
“What are biofilms doing in our drinking water pipes?” by Professor Joby Boxall, University of Sheffield – 21 September 2022, 12.00-13.00.
“Granular Activated Carbon Biofilms for Biomethanation from Wastewater” by Dr Po-Heng Lee, Imperial College London – 6 July 2022, 12.00-13.00.
Interesting Publications
Microbial water quality investigation through flow cytometry fingerprinting: from source to tap
By: Leila Claveau, Neil Hudson, Peter Jarvis, Paul Jeffrey, Francis Hassard. In: Sustainable Microbiology, Volume 1, Issue 1, January 2024, qvae003, https://doi.org/10.1093/sumbio/qvae003
Time to revise the terminology we use to regulate water management practices
By: Paul Jeffrey, Heather Smith & Francis Hassard. In: Nature Water volume 2, page208 (2024)