InterSpore, a project with strong interactions with the MAUD cluster |
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The complete title of the InterSpore project is precisely : “the modelization of dynamics of interactions Bacillus spores/Material and the role of spore surface complexity. Application at L. monocytogenes, non-sporulated pathogenic”. That could seem obscure and particular for the non-initiated, but in fact applications of this work will have sizeable industrial impacts.
Hereafter explanations from Christine Faille, researcher at INRA UR638, in charge of this project. |
In a few words, could you bring some explanations of this so-complex project ? |
Our work consists clearly in the study of interactions between bacteria & surfaces, but also their ability to adhere to sufaces. The idea is to characterize these phenomena at macroscopic, microcospic and nanoscopic levels. Once the interaction forces are identified, we try to correlate them to bacteria properties (size, chemical features, and so on). Then, in the perspective of equipment cleaning, we attempt to model cleaning kinetics by integrating the key parameters, i.e. cleaning conditions, interaction forces, in order to identify relevant parameters and interaction mechanisms. |
By the way, why did you focus on Bacillus spores ? |
The Bacillus are able to produce endospores which allow them to resist unfavorable environmental conditions. These are also food pathogenic – which is particularly interesting for our study context. |
Which impacts can have your work and on what kind of industries ? |
Our project applications can have two major impacts. First of all, to guarantee equipments hygiene of the food-processing industry. Then the project can be used as a comprehensive basis to implement so-called hygienic materials and to adapt cleaning procedures, in order to limit harmful substance discharges for the environment. This would also allow to reduce the use of water in the process of installations cleaning, and therefore to limit the environmental impact globally. |
In this perspective, what brings you the MAUD competitiveness cluster ? |
The project has been co-approved by the MAUD cluster because it matched its set of themes, i.e. environmental impacts and materials treatment – which is indeed the heart of its set of themes. Many very constructive exchanges occurred, because the future inevitably goes through materials. |
The project also benefits from a large collaboration between several teams ? |
The INRA team that works on the project chose to collaborate with labs which they were already in contact with. These labs bring them complementary skills. For instance : the display of microorganisms at microscopic and nanoscopic scales with C. Slomianny of INSERM (U 800), the knowledge of glycoconjugates with Y. Guerardel from UGSF (UMR 8576), the characterization of bacteria elasticity and of interaction force at the level of the bacterium by atomic force microscopy with Franck Lafont from MCPI (UMR 8161). With AFSSA, research is spread to the pathogenic bacterium Listeria monocytogenes, in order to understand how models can apply to other bacteria. The INRA labs have an expertise which is accepted in bacteria adhesion, hygienic conception of equipments and kinetics modelization. In conclusion the mobilization of all these skills allows to have an integrated approach to answer an eminently-complex problem. (*1)
(*1) The various partners :
- UR638 LGPTA INRA Villeneuve d’Ascq
- UMR792 LISPB INRA/INSA Toulouse
- MCPI-CNRS UMR8161 Lille
- UMR8576 UGSF CNRS/USTL-1 Villeneuve d’Ascq
- U800 LPC INSERM Villeneuve d’Ascq
- LERPPé AFSSA Boulogne-sur-mer |
What is the future of this project ? |
The project is supported for 3 years by the ANR (*2) within the scope of PNRA (*3). During this period, the aim is to produce fundamental & applied publications but also to take part in congresses. Another project, in the continuation of the InterSpore and registered at a regional level (ARCir contract), is about to start in a few weeks. A similar approach will be applied : the study of interactions between Materials and Biofilms, communities of microorganisms which adhere both to each other and to a surface.
(*2) ‘Agence Nationale de la Recherche’ = French national research agency
(*3) ‘Programme National de Recherche en Alimentation et nutrition humaine’ = French national research program in food industry and human nutrition
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authors : Faille/Lequette - institute : INRA
Macroscopic scale (pilote loop) |
authors : Faille/Lequette - institute : INRA |
authors : Faille/Lequette - institute : INRA |
