To create global recognition for innovative biofilm technologies, the recently proposed South Dakota Biofilm Science and Engineering Center (SDBSEC) will combine the knowledge of eleven South Dakota institutions. The initiative will focus on understanding how bacterial biofilms interact with various substrates, particularly metals and plants.
SDBSEC
Two main research directions will be initiated:
- Corrosion Prevention: Research of sulfate-reducing bacteria that affect metal surfaces, with applications in the oil and gas industry to prevent pipeline corrosion and corresponding environmental damage.
- Agricultural enhancement: Studying the impact of biofilms on root colonization in soybeans, with a focus on the nitrogen-fixing bacterium Bradyrhizobium diazoeffeiciens, to possibly minimize fertilizer needs through optimal plant-bacteria symbiosis.
Through its SDBSEC Futures program, the project goes beyond research by establishing opportunities at various levels, from K–12 to faculty. With a focus on rural and Native American communities, the program offers research to contribute to the competitive STEM workforce in South Dakota. The project is supported by NSF’s Research Infrastructure Improvement project, and the SDBSEC has gained recognition for its impact on South Dakota’s scientific and educational landscape and intellectual contributions.
