COLLEGE STATION, Texas July 10, 2008 – Thomas K. Wood, professor in the Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering at Texas A&M University, has been featured on iTunes U for his research on battling infections caused by biofilms.
iTunes U is a free hosted content distribution system from Apple that enables colleges and universities to make audio and video material from lectures, interviews, audio books and other sources available to students with the ease of the iTunes Store.
Wood’s biofilm research can be downloaded free of charge as part of the “Research Quick Briefs” program that is featured in the Texas A&M section of iTunes U. The program is an audio podcast produced by Texas A&M’s Division of Research and Graduate Studies. Once at the main page for Texas A&M’s iTunes U, users can find the program under the “news and information” tab.
To access Texas A&M iTunes U. visit: http://itunes.tamu.edu.
Examining Escherichia coli bacteria – widely considered a model organism for microbiology studies – Wood has succeeded in identifying, decoding and even modifying cell-to-cell signals so that biofilm formation is inhibited.
Wood’s work is important in addressing the widespread health issues resulting from biofilm – a protective and adhesive slime excreted by bacteria that have joined together to form a community. Highly resistant to antibiotics, bacteria in biofilms can grow on a variety of living and nonliving surfaces, including biomedical implants such as knee and hip replacements as well as teeth (as plaque) and in the ear canal, causing lingering infections.
iTunes U is used primarily by Texas A&M students, faculty and staff. However, the service is open to the public, including prospective and former students of Texas A&M. Users can download and listen to content on a personal computer or iPod through the iTunes application.
For questions about iTunes U and downloading content, visit http://itunes.tamu.edu/faq.html.
