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C-DEBI External Advisory Board
Director & Professor, Environmental Sciences Institute,
Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, Florida
My group has developed an active and internationally recognized
research program in two areas - environmental infection control
in dental operatories and the ecology, molecular biology and
taxonomy of the unique predatory bacteria of the family Bdellovibrionaceae,
which may play a role in bacterial mortality and the control
of bacterial populations in the environment. The role of bdellovibrios
in nature and the organism's potential use as an agent of
biological control has eluded investigators for over 40 years.
Decades of studying these bacteria in water samples from rivers,
oceans and seas has yielded small numbers of the organisms
and limited data. Pioneering studies in our laboratory have
revealed the primary habitat for these organisms to be the
biofilm on surfaces in the aquatic environment and not the
water. Our ultimate goal is to uncover the role of these organisms
in nature, specifically the aquatic environment, and in infections.
We have studied extensively the phylogeny of the organisms
as determined by analyses of the sequences of the 16S rRNA
and other genes. These efforts have led to the establishment
of a new genus, Bacteriovorax, within the family Bdellovibrionaceae.
We now have evidence based on analyses of a large part of
the 16S rRNA gene, that the marine and halophilic bdellovibrios
should be re-assigned to another genus Our group has been
the most active in publishing on the bdellovibrios during
the last decade. Current work involves continued studies on
the molecular diversity and phylogenetic relationships of
the Bdellovibrionaceae and like-organisms, the taxonomic classification
of the organisms and the distribution patterns of specific
phylotypes in aquatic systems.
The importance of environmental infection control is apparent
when it is considered that this issue has had a greater impact
on the practice of dentistry today, generating more publicity
and causing more public consternation during the last decade
than any other. Recent work in my laboratory in this area
has focused on the microbial contamination of the dental water
supply (DUWS). We have published the most papers on this topic.
This work has contributed to the knowledge that water from
the syringe and handpiece of nearly all dental units currently
in use is massively contaminated with bacteria including potential
pathogens. We have confirmed that the source of these organisms
is the biofilm that forms on the inner walls of the plastic
water distribution tubing of dental units. Our research team
was the first to demonstrate the nature of biofilm development
in dental units and yielded important clues as to the source
of microorganims that become established in devices in dental
operatories.. Our group's evaluation of dental units with
a self-contained sterile water supply, which also revealed
the sources of contamination, was a pioneering effort. Our
research efforts have had national impact by providing supporting
data and a basis for recommendations by the Centers for Communicable
Diseases and the American Dental Association that all dental
units be equipped to deliver water with not more than 500
colony forming units per ml.
We also have a strong emphasis on diversity in our laboratory
and the development of students traditionally underrepresented
in the sciences. This effort has been nationally recognized
through several awards including the American Society for
Microbiology William A. Hinton Award presented to me in recognition
of the training of students including minority individuals.
In February, 2004 I was awarded the University of Maryland,
Baltimore Martin Luther King, Jr. Award in recognition of
my efforts to promote inclusion and diversity in the sciences.
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Henry
Neal Williams
