Biofilms are described as the most ubiquitous form of microbial life. However, they are most commonly known for their harmful impacts on human health, such as invading the lungs of individuals with Cystic Fibrosis. There is emerging data that the mechanical properties of these viscoelastic biomaterials change throughout the disease state, complicating infection control mitigation strategies. In recent years, numerous treatment strategies have been explored to control or exploit the mechanical, biological, and physiological properties of biofilms. These emerging strategies have derived from computational simulations, quantitative measurements in in vitro co-culture platforms of single and poly-species biofilms, and in vivo models. With this expansion of the field, it is highly essential to examine the recent advances aimed to accelerate the fight against biofilm-associated infections.
This Research Topic aims to highlight leading methods and technologies dedicated to elucidating the mechanobiology of biofilms associated with infections. The collection will cover various topics including: biofilm mechanics, biofilms and mucus and mucosal surfaces, mucociliary clearance, host-pathogens interactions, and animal models of bloodstream, lung, skin, and biomaterial-associated infections.
The intent of this collection is to highlight studies on bacterial biofilms and associated biologically relevant mechanical properties of biofilms for a broader audience. Specific desired themes falling under this topic include Computational simulations of biofilms and biofilm-host interactions; Quantitative measurements in in vitro co-culture platforms of single and poly-species biofilms; and in vivo models that model biofilm infection scenarios.
Given the breadth of this topic, we hope to receive contributions from researchers with various backgrounds. The guest editors of this Research Topic welcome Original Research articles, Perspectives, Methods, and Reviews that could significantly impact the field of biofilms.
Biofilms are described as the most ubiquitous form of microbial life. However, they are most commonly known for their harmful impacts on human health, such as invading the lungs of individuals with Cystic Fibrosis. There is emerging data that the mechanical properties of these viscoelastic biomaterials change throughout the disease state, complicating infection control mitigation strategies. In recent years, numerous treatment strategies have been explored to control or exploit the mechanical, biological, and physiological properties of biofilms. These emerging strategies have derived from computational simulations, quantitative measurements in in vitro co-culture platforms of single and poly-species biofilms, and in vivo models. With this expansion of the field, it is highly essential to examine the recent advances aimed to accelerate the fight against biofilm-associated infections.
This Research Topic aims to highlight leading methods and technologies dedicated to elucidating the mechanobiology of biofilms associated with infections. The collection will cover various topics including: biofilm mechanics, biofilms and mucus and mucosal surfaces, mucociliary clearance, host-pathogens interactions, and animal models of bloodstream, lung, skin, and biomaterial-associated infections.
The intent of this collection is to highlight studies on bacterial biofilms and associated biologically relevant mechanical properties of biofilms for a broader audience. Specific desired themes falling under this topic include Computational simulations of biofilms and biofilm-host interactions; Quantitative measurements in in vitro co-culture platforms of single and poly-species biofilms; and in vivo models that model biofilm infection scenarios.
Given the breadth of this topic, we hope to receive contributions from researchers with various backgrounds. The guest editors of this Research Topic welcome Original Research articles, Perspectives, Methods, and Reviews that could significantly impact the field of biofilms.
