FK-KMK UGM. Department of Microbiology Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing and Division of Division of Orthopedics and Traumatology Indonesian Biofilm Research Collaboration Center BRIN-UGM-UNSOED-UMKT organized Visiting Professor and Guest Lecture 2022 series with main topic Biofilm. Prof. dr. Henny C Van der Mei and Prof. Paul C. Jutte, MD, Ph.D from University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen Netherlands became speakers in this event.

First event was held on Tuesday (15/11) with “Biofilm Infections” as a topic. Continued with next agenda on Wednesday (16/11) with “Awareness to Biofilm-Related Infections” as a topic with the same speakers.

Last event from this series was the Hybrid International Seminar titled “Biofilm Awareness and Treatment Approach of Biofilm Infections” that was held on Friday (18/11) at Tahir Building Auditorium FK-KMK UGM.

Biofilm became a topic in this event to raise awareness of it. Biofilm is a collection of microorganism cells, especially bacteria, which are attached to a carbohydrate adhesive surface secreted by bacteria.

Prof. Henny gave an explanation about sequential steps of biofilm dispersal. First, bacteria glued together by their self produced EPS matrix. Second, continuing from the outside of the biofilm, disrupting the EPS matrix and leading to less dense regions in a biofilm. Third, dispersant acts into deeper layers and then the biofilm remains after dispersal with lower bacterial density than undisturbed biofilm in which antimicrobials can more readily penetrate.

Prof. Paul also explained that to manifest the raising of awareness about biofilm, scientists have to do a collaboration. “We need teamwork, this is one of the big challenges now,” he said. (Reporter: Nirwana)