Innovative Approaches to Biofilm Disruption: Targeting Genetic Pathways and Natural Solutions

Biofilms are complicated microbial communities in a self-produced matrix of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) that form a protective barrier, enhancing microbial resilience and virulence. This adaptive community lifestyle is coordinated by processes such as quorum sensing, two-component signal transduction pathways, and cyclic-di-GMP networks. These systems regulate key genetic pathways, facilitating collective behavior, virulence, and resistance to antimicrobial interventions. As a result, biofilm-associated cells exhibit increased tolerance to environmental stresses and antimicrobial agents, posing significant challenges in clinical, environmental, and food-related settings. Recent studies highlight the potential of natural solutions, including essential oils and bioactive compounds, which provide broad-spectrum antimicrobial activities by counteracting bacterial resistance. Despite ongoing research, innovative and sustainable strategies that target regulatory systems and genetic pathways to combat biofilms are needed.

The primary aim of this Research Topic is to advance the discovery and application of novel strategies for preventing and disrupting biofilms by focusing on the interplay between genetic regulation and the use of natural antimicrobial agents. The goal is to explore new molecular targets within biofilm regulatory networks, clarify the action of natural bioactive compounds, and encourage sustainable, greener solutions for biofilm management. By fostering interdisciplinary research spanning microbiology, natural product chemistry, and biotechnology, we hope to collect discoveries in both the mechanistic understanding and practical control of biofilms—leading to improved therapeutic, environmental, and industrial outcomes.

To gather further insights in innovative biofilm management, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

- Genetic and molecular mechanisms regulating biofilm formation, resistance, and dispersal;

- Quorum sensing inhibitors and genetic regulators as therapeutic or preventive tools;

- Natural antimicrobial compounds (plant extracts, essential oils, hydrolates and bioactive compounds) targeting biofilms;

- Synergistic effects between conventional antimicrobials and natural compounds in biofilm control;

- Application of -omics technologies and bioinformatics in antibiofilm strategy development;

- Innovative applications in food safety, medical device hygiene, and industrial biofilm management

We warmly invite researchers to contribute their latest findings and insights to this Research Topic, and join us in advancing knowledge and discovery in the interdisciplinary field of biofilm formation and disruption, by integrating genetic approaches and nature-inspired solutions.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Innovative approach, Biofilm, Natural compounds, Genetic pathways, Bacterial contamination, Spoilage bacteria, Food-borne pathogens, Quorum sensing

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.