Unraveling Biofilm Resilience: Innovative Antimicrobial Strategies Against Resistant Pathogens

Microbial biofilms represent one of the most formidable challenges in modern medicine, industry, and environmental systems. These structured, surface-associated microbial communities exhibit extraordinary resilience to antimicrobial agents and host immune responses, enabling persistent infections and biofouling in clinical and industrial settings alike. The intricate architecture, metabolic heterogeneity, and adaptive gene expression within biofilms confer levels of tolerance that far exceed those of their planktonic counterparts, rendering conventional antimicrobial strategies largely ineffective. As antimicrobial resistance (AMR) continues to escalate globally, understanding and overcoming biofilm-associated resistance mechanisms is a critical frontier in microbiology and infectious disease research.

This Research Topic aims to gather cutting-edge studies and reviews that advance our understanding of biofilm biology and explore novel strategies to counteract biofilm resilience. We invite contributions addressing innovative antimicrobial approaches, from novel chemical compounds and natural products to nanotechnology-based systems, phage therapy, and anti-quorum sensing molecules, that demonstrate potential in disrupting biofilm formation, enhancing biofilm eradication, or restoring the efficacy of existing antimicrobials. Mechanistic insights into biofilm physiology, genetic regulation, and resistance pathways are particularly encouraged, as they provide essential foundations for the rational design of next-generation anti-biofilm interventions.

Equally welcome are studies leveraging systems biology, omics technologies, and computational modeling to elucidate biofilm heterogeneity and adaptive dynamics, as well as interdisciplinary research exploring host–pathogen interactions within biofilms and their implications for chronic infections. Translational and applied studies that bridge laboratory findings with clinical or environmental applications, such as surface coatings, smart drug-delivery systems, and biofilm-monitoring technologies, are also of great interest.

Contributions may focus on the following sub-topics:

• Mechanisms of Biofilm Resilience: Physiology, Genetics, and Adaptive Strategies
• Novel Chemical and Biological Antimicrobials Targeting Biofilms
• Phage, Nanotechnology, and Material-Based Anti-Biofilm Strategies
• Disrupting Communication and Systems-Level Regulation
• Host–Biofilm Interactions and Immunological Dimensions
• Translational and Applied Innovations in Biofilm Control

By bringing together innovative perspectives from microbiology, biochemistry, materials science, pharmacology, and clinical research, this Research Topic seeks to foster a holistic understanding of biofilm resilience and to catalyze the development of transformative antimicrobial strategies. Ultimately, the goal is to inspire collaborative efforts toward mitigating the global burden of biofilm-associated infections and antimicrobial resistance.

In this Research Topic we welcome the following article types: FAIR² Data, Hypothesis and Theory, Methods, Mini Review, Opinion, Original Research, Perspective, Review, Systematic Review, Technology and Code.

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: Biofilms, Antimicrobial resistance, Antibiofilm strategies, Phage therapy, Nanotechnology, Quorum sensing inhibition

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.