Faculty/School

Faculty of Science

School of Mathematical Sciences

Topic status

We're looking for students to study this topic.

Research centre

Primary Supervisor

Associate Professor Pascal Buenzli
Position
Associate Professor
Division / Faculty
Faculty of Science

Other QUT supervisors

Professor Matthew Simpson
Position
Professor
Division / Faculty
Faculty of Science

External supervisors

  • Dr Cecile Bidan

Overview

Biofilms are a biological material formed by a mixture of bacteria embedded in the extracellular matrix that they produce. Biofilm growth can be fast and vary widely depending on the type of bacteria used and substrate on which the biofilm grows. There is growing interest in being able to control properties of biofilms for bioengineering applications. Recent experiments show that buckling-induced folds of biofilms growing on corrugated substrates occur preferentially at peaks of the interface rather than at its troughs.

This project aims to develop a simple mathematical model of mechanical interactions in a growing biofilm based on discrete models of chains of springs. The model will include adhesion forces between constituents of the biofilm and substrates of various geometries to understand the influence of curvature for promoting or inhibiting the buckling instability induced by the growth of the bacterial biofilm. The project involves the development of new computational models of biofilm mechanics, mathematical modelling, and data analysis from biofilm experiments.

Research engagement

You will be exposed to leading-edge research from the literature, and have the opportunity to develop novel mathematical models informed by experimental data, and to develop bespoke computer code to numerically simulate the models.

Research activities

You will work closely and meet regularly with the supervisory team to carry out all aspects of the project, including engaging with key literature, developing new mathematical models, performing numerical simulations, and comparing with experimental observations.

Research skills

Research skills you will acquire include reading and understanding specialised literature on mathematical modelling of biological systems, applying established and novel mathematical modelling frameworks and critically analysing results obtained. You will also develop skills in presenting your results to a general and specialist audience. This project may involve collaboration with international researchers.

Outcomes

The outcomes of this projects are new understandings of interplays between geometry and mechanics during biofilm growth which could help design new experiments by international collaborators.

Skills and experience

This project can be tailored to suit research students at VRES, Honours, Masters, and PhD level. Some proficiency in differential equations and computer modelling is expected. No prior knowledge of biology is required.

Start date

2 November, 2026

End date

19 February, 2027

Location

Gardens Point, QUT

Additional information

The supervisory team may take some leave over the summer breaks. Suitable dates will be arranged within this period.

Keywords

Contact

Pascal Buenzli

x81558

pascal.buenzli@qut.edu.au