During her PhD studies, Louise Vinther Grøn explored cell attachment and biofilm formation by the bacterium Sporomusa ovata. This microbe is capable to convert CO₂ with H₂ into organic molecules, such as acetate, and is thus an intriguing biocatalyst for novel CO₂ conversion technologies, one of them being microbial electrosynthesis.

Her research explored how biofilm formation by this bacterium can be increased and investigated the importance of biofilm formation on the electrode for microbial electrosynthesis. This interdisciplinary work provides insights into the biofilm formation capabilities of this unique microbe, which is of value for the further development of microbial electrosynthesis, as a relevant biological CO₂ conversion technology.

The PhD study was completed Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Technical Sciences, Aarhus University.

This summary was prepared by the PhD student.
Time: Thursday, 27^th March at 13:00
Place: Building 1427, room 246, Lecture Theatre M2, Aarhus University, Fredrik Nielsens Vej 4, 8000 Aarhus C.
Title of PhD thesis: Let them stick: Improving biofilm formation of the acetogenic bacterium Sporomusa ovata and its impact on microbial electrosynthesis 
Contact information: Louise Vinther Grøn, e-mail: louise.groen@bce.au.dk, tel.: +45 28801321
Members of the assessment committee:
Professor Annemiek ter Heijne, Environmental Technology, Wageningen University, The Netherlands
Professor Ramon Ganigué, Center for Microbial Ecology and Technology, Ghent University, Belgium
Associate Professor Thomas William Seviour, Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Aarhus University (chair)
Main supervisor:
Associate Professor Jo Philips, Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Aarhus University, Denmark 
Co-supervisors:
Associate Professor Michael Vedel Wegener Kofoed, Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Aarhus University, Denmark
Associate Professor, Klaus Koren, Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Denmark
Language: The PhD dissertation will be defended in English

The defence is public.
The PhD thesis is available for reading at the Graduate School of Technical Sciences/GSTS, Ny Munkegade 120, building 1521, 8000 Aarhus C.