Designing a Winogradsky Column to Simulate, Enrich and Predict Microcosm Biofilm Patterns : Building a Tool to Grow Microbes As They Are

Master's Thesis from the year 2006 in the subject Biology - Micro- and Molecular Biology, , course: Masters Of Science in Microbiology, language: English, abstract: Variations of Winogradsky Columns were designed, i.e. soil texture, light, salts, hard substrates, carbon and energy sources, Winogradsky Tanks to simulate wind and waves, Winogradksy Fuel Cells to monitor the redox potential of the biofilms, High Pressure Winogradsky to simulate water depth, etc. The influence of the Winogradsky's environment on the biofilm patterns and vice versa were studied. The phenomenon of microbial succession was studied. The patterns were tracked by making Winogradsky Maps and mathematical data obtained by taking the Equivalent Weight of the pattern cutouts. Regression Equations were assessed to individual biofilm patterns. These equations were tested to predict the patterns. Finally a design for an all-environment simulation Winogradsky Column was laid. Innovative setups to simulate deep sea pressure were also done to see the consequent biofilm patterns.