Professional Summary
Dr. Xi is a molecular microbiologist and microbial ecologist. His research focuses on biofilms, water quality and human health. Research in his laboratory uses molecular and genomic tools to understand molecular mechanisms of persistence and resistance of pathogens in natural, engineered and industrial environments; transmission routes of pathogens from the environment to host and their impacts on health of general public and industrial workers. He is particularly interested in the role of biofilms in these processes. In addition, he uses advanced imaging tools and nanotechnology to study biofilm development, the spread of antibiotic resistance, and control of biofilm-related infections. Prior to his joining the faculty of the University of Michigan in 2005, he spent four years at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and received his Ph.D. from Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium in 2000.
Courses Taught
EHS570: Water Quality Management
EHS576: Microbiology in Environmental Health
Education
Ph.D., Applied Biological Sciences, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium, 2000
M.Sc., Molecular Microbiology, Guangxi University, China, 1996
B.Sc., Biology, Anhui Normal University, China, 1993
Research Interest & Projects
Dr. Xi's research interest is in biofilms, water quality, advanced bio-imaging, biological processes, molecular microbial ecology, and environmental genomics. Current research projects include: molecular mechanisms of persistence and resistance of pathogens in drinking water distribution system; ecology of Mycobacteria in metalworking fluids and its associated biofilms; Optical Coherence Tomography imaging of biofilm development dynamics; spread of antibiotic resistance and biofilms in the urban water cycle; characterization of biofilms and microbial populations on medical devices; the role of extracellular polysaccharide and extracellular DNA in Acinetobacter biofilm development; and control of biofilms-related infectious diseases using PDT nano-particles, enzymes, small compounds and natural products.
Elucidating Mechanisms Responsible for the Persistence of Microorganisms in Drinking Water Distribution Systems
Principal Investigator: Raskin, L. and Xi, C
Sponsor: NSF
Biofilms and Spread of Antibiotic Resistance in Surface and Drinking Water
Principal Investigator: Xi, Marrs, Simon
Sponsor: Graham Environmental Sustainability Institute
ERC Pilot Research Program: Microbial Characterization of Metal Removal Fluids and Associated Biofilms Using Molecular Approaches
Principal Investigator: Xi, C.
Sponsor: NIOSH
Ecology of Multi-Species Biofilms on Urinary Catheters
Principal Investigator: Xi, Foxman, Younger, et al.
Sponsor: The Office of Vice President for Research/University of Michigan
High throughput screening for chemical compounds inhibiting biofilm formation and growth
Principal Investigator: Xi
Sponsor: Gregory Margolies Fund the Center for Chemical Genomics
Selected Publications
Berry, D., Xi, C., Raskin, L. (2008). Effect of growth conditions and growth modes on inactivation of Escherichia coli with monochloramine Environmental Sciences & Technology, In press
Foxman, B., D. Goldberg, D. Murdock, C. XI and J. Gilsdorf (2008). Conceptualizing the human microbiome: from multi-celled organ to ecological community. Interdisciplinary Journal of Infectious Diseases, doi:10.1155/2008/613979
Berry, D., Xi, C., and Raskin, L. (2006). Microbial ecology of drinking water distribution systems. Current Opinion of Biotechnology, In press
Xi, C., Marks, D, Schlachter, S., Luo, W., and Boppart , S.A. (2006). High-resolution three-dimensional imaging of biofilm development using optical coherence tomography. Journal of Biomedical Optics, In press
Xi, C., Marks, D, Parikh, D., Raskin, L. and Boppart, S. (2004). Structural and functional imaging of three-dimensional microfluidic mixers using optical coherence tomography. Proceeedings, National Academy of Sciences, 101(20), 7516-7521.
Xi, C., Balberg, M., Boppart, S. and Raskin L. (2003). Use of DNA and peptide nucleic acid molecular beacons for the detection and quantification of rRNA in solution and in whole cells. Applied Environmental Microbiology, 69(9), 5673-5678.
Michiels, J., Xi, C., Verhaert, J. and Vanderleyden, J. (2002). Functions of Ca2+ in bacteria. A role for EF-hand proteins? Trends in Microbiology, 10, 87-93.
Michiels, J., Dirix, G., Vanderleyden, J. and Xi, C. (2001). Processing and export of peptide pheromones and bacteriocins in Gran-negative bacteria Trends in Microbiology, 9(4), 164-8.
Xi, C., Dirix, G., Hofkens, J., Schryver, F.C., Vanderleyden, J., Michiels, J. (2001). Use of dual marker transposons to identify new symbiosis genes in rhizobium Microbial Ecology, 41(4), 325.
Professional Affiliations
American Society for Microbiology
American Water Works Association
International Water Association
Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professsors (AEESP)
International Society of Microbial Ecology
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