Biofilms refer to the surface-attached groups of microbial cells embedded in an extracellular matrix. Biofilms development is a complex dynamic process, including five stages: initial attachment, EPS production leading to “irreversible” attachment, early development of biofilm architecture, maturation of biofilm architecture, and dispersion of single cells and then colonization. Various genes expression, metabolic pathways, architectural features, et al., evolve gradually during the biofilm development process and differ profoundly from their planktonic counterparts. Besides, many environmental factors can influence the biofilms development process, such as pH, nutrition, oxygen concentration, etc. Therefore, understanding the biological mechanisms and environmental factors associated with biofilm development is significant in investigating novel antibiofilm agents.
It is estimated that biofilms are related to 65-80% of infectious diseases. However, microbes in biofilms are less susceptible to antimicrobial agents than their planktonic counterparts, and as a result, biofilm-related conditions are complicated to prevent and cure. Furthermore, the current antibiofilm agents are almost antimicrobial agents with bactericidal effects, which are ineffective for treating biofilm-related infections and could lead to microbial resistance if used for a long time. Hence, it is critically important to design or screen novel antibiofilm agents that can effectively prevent biofilm formation or eradicate existing biofilm.
The Research Topic is going to collect original research, review, mini-review, perspective, and opinion articles on the following themes, but is not limited to:
• The mechanisms are underlying biofilms development stages, including attachment, growth, maturation, and dispersion.
• Environmental factors influence the biofilm development process.
• Novel strategies to prevent biofilm formation or eradicate existing biofilm.
Biofilms refer to the surface-attached groups of microbial cells embedded in an extracellular matrix. Biofilms development is a complex dynamic process, including five stages: initial attachment, EPS production leading to “irreversible” attachment, early development of biofilm architecture, maturation of biofilm architecture, and dispersion of single cells and then colonization. Various genes expression, metabolic pathways, architectural features, et al., evolve gradually during the biofilm development process and differ profoundly from their planktonic counterparts. Besides, many environmental factors can influence the biofilms development process, such as pH, nutrition, oxygen concentration, etc. Therefore, understanding the biological mechanisms and environmental factors associated with biofilm development is significant in investigating novel antibiofilm agents.
It is estimated that biofilms are related to 65-80% of infectious diseases. However, microbes in biofilms are less susceptible to antimicrobial agents than their planktonic counterparts, and as a result, biofilm-related conditions are complicated to prevent and cure. Furthermore, the current antibiofilm agents are almost antimicrobial agents with bactericidal effects, which are ineffective for treating biofilm-related infections and could lead to microbial resistance if used for a long time. Hence, it is critically important to design or screen novel antibiofilm agents that can effectively prevent biofilm formation or eradicate existing biofilm.
The Research Topic is going to collect original research, review, mini-review, perspective, and opinion articles on the following themes, but is not limited to:
• The mechanisms are underlying biofilms development stages, including attachment, growth, maturation, and dispersion.
• Environmental factors influence the biofilm development process.
• Novel strategies to prevent biofilm formation or eradicate existing biofilm.