Microbe-Metal Interactions: Workshop Report. November 2019 - London, UK

Abstract

We hosted our Microbe-Metal Interactions workshop in London on 22 November 2019. We thank all those who attended and contributed to the workshop.

Executive Summary
This workshop brought together key complementary academic expertise and thought-leadership from industry in biofilms, contamination of metal surfaces and biocorrosion processes across the life and physical sciences and engineering domains within NBIC, CBE and internationally in order to identify the key knowledge gaps and research challenges for future projects and research collaboration.

The problems associated with Microbe-Metal interactions impact multiple industries such as chemical processing, nuclear power generation, onshore and offshore oil and gas, water treatment, sewage handling and treatment, highway maintenance, aviation, metal working, marine and shipping. The economic impact is significant (estimated for the USA as 3.2% of GDP). The challenge is still largely intractable and there remain fundamental scientific challenges in its prediction, early detection, prevention and control.

Invited workshop participants shared unmet needs and the current state of knowledge of interactions between complex microbial communities and metals, with a focus on the challenge of microbially influenced corrosion (MIC). The primary objective was to identify the key knowledge gaps and research challenges for future projects and research collaboration.

We thank the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) for funding the costs of the meeting through a US Partnering Award.

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