The Borlee Laboratory at Colorado State University is located in the mdepartment of microbiology, immunology and pathology. The Borlee Laboratory analyzes Colorado air to discover more about the collection of microorganisms in the air. This air microbiome is scientifically known as the aerobiome.

Borlee researchers aim to uncover valuable information about airborne bacteria and use their findings to develop solutions such as antibacterial products and vaccines while addressing environmental concerns. With a strong emphasis on undergraduate research experiences and outreach, the Borlee Laboratory not only improves scientific understanding but also advances public knowledge about microbes.

He Borlee Lab works within a network called Biology Integration Institutes: OneHealth Regional Aerobiome Discovery Networka regional interdisciplinary research group funded by the US National Science Foundation. BROADN includes researchers from several institutions: CSU, CSU-Pueblo, the University of Colorado Boulder, and Doane University. Brad Borlee, principal investigator of the Borlee Laboratory, takes on multiple roles at BROADN.

“Our OneHealth approach facilitates collaboration with epidemiologists, atmospheric scientists and engineers to inform our research, assess environmental risks, and predict and prevent outbreaks.” -Brad Borlee, Borlee Laboratory p.principal investigator

“We focused on how bacteria become aerosols, their behavior once they are airborne, and their survival in such an extreme environment,” Borlee said. “Our goal is to understand how this information connects to environmental, human and animal health and how we can intervene or use these bacteria to our benefit.”

The structure and characteristics of airborne bacteria play a crucial role in influencing weather patterns and human and animal health. These bacteria face extreme challenges in the air, such as temperature fluctuations, high UV exposure, and dehydration. Understanding how bacteria adapt to these conditions is essential to exploring their impacts.

One benefit that some airborne bacteria have is the ability to catalyze the formation of ice. This behavior contributes to cloud formation, thereby influencing weather patterns and plant health, and is the goal of a Borlee Laboratory project.

“This research helps understand weather patterns and climate,” said Eleah Flockhart, Ph.D. Student and researcher at the Borlee Laboratory. “It also has agricultural implications, since many bacteria that promote ice formation are plant pathogens. “They can cause frost damage, which poses a significant concern for crop production.”

Airborne bacteria can also cause illness. A specific type, BurkholderiaIt is the focus of another project in the laboratory due to its increasing prevalence and potential to induce human diseases.

“A pattern has been observed where this bacteria becomes aerosolized, somehow survives in the air, and then causes human illness,” Ph.D. said student Sam Golon. “Understanding how this important pathogen aerosolizes and survives in the air will allow us to intervene in the future.”

Golon has an additional project focused on another airborne bacteria: Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

“We are investigating the characteristics that allow this bacteria to become aerosolized, focusing on a compound they produce that alters surface tension,” Golon said. “We also want to understand how this compound may contribute to their survival once in the air.”

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is of interest to the Borlee Laboratory because it makes up a large part of the aerobiome. Understanding the behavior of this bacterial species can provide key information about how airborne microbes affect the ecosystem.

“This research is basic science or fundamental science, which is the necessary foundation for application-driven science where we find solutions,” Flockhart said.

Through its work with BROADN and its OneHealth research approach, Borlee Lab is able to collaborate with other scientists and professionals to expand the impact of their research.

“Our OneHealth approach facilitates collaboration with epidemiologists, atmospheric scientists and engineers to inform our research, assess environmental risks, and predict and prevent outbreaks,” Borlee said.

Taking its research beyond the aerobiome, the Borlee Lab also has a project focused on vaccine development.

“We are developing new vaccines in collaboration with (the CSU professor) Raymond Goodrich “To protect vulnerable populations in less developed areas from bacterial pathogens that cause diarrhea,” Borlee said. “Our goal is to provide solutions to those who lack access to clean water and healthcare, addressing global epidemics such as cholera and E. coli.”

The Borlee Lab not only contributes greatly to the scientific community through its research, but also enriches the academic environment by providing undergraduate research experiences through the Research for university students program with ENLARGE. Additionally, the laboratory supports the Fort Collins community by collecting many of its air samples locallyencouraging local commitment to environmental issues.

“What I like most is that the students identify bacteria that we haven’t seen before,” Borlee said. “It really inspires me when students get excited about science and then share that enthusiasm and what they’ve learned by mentoring others.”

Borlee expanded on the importance of community involvement.

“One of the missions of my lab is to be better stewards of science, to communicate it more effectively to our community and to prevent it from being mistranslated,” Borlee said. “Informing the public about our research and its importance is key to closing the gap between pure science and common knowledge.”

Contact Paige Gruber at [email protected] or on Twitter @CSUCollegian.