(A) This research program examines the effects of biofilms of commonly found war wound pathogens (Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Klebsiella pneumoniae) in wound response. The program involves (1) characterization of mixed-species biofilm infection of wound in vitro and in vivo, specifically to address the relationship between biofilm development and impairment of wound healing; (2) identification of the most effective range of anti-biofilm treatments in vitro, which will include the use of nanoparticle drug delivery systems for the incorporation of antimicrobial peptides, biofilm-disrupting agents, and quorum-sensing inhibitors; and (3) selection of the most effective anti-biofilm treatment modality for improving healing in vivo using a rabbit ear wound (full thickness dermal wound) model.

(B) This study focuses on understanding bacterial species interactions in mixed species microbial communities by determining the genome-wide transcriptome of individual member of mono-species and mixed-species communities (Staphylococccus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) grown as planktonic cultures and biofilms in vitro as well as in full thickness dermal wounds. The study involves (1) separation of individual member from mixed-species microbial communities of planktonic and biofilm modes (in vitro and in vivo) based on immune-magnetic separation; and (2) recovery, sequencing, and profiling of entire RNA universe for identification of novel transcripts of individual member from mono-species versus mixed-species communities grown in planktonic and biofilm modes.