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Biofilm

About: Biofilm is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 23010 publications have been published within this topic receiving 906812 citations. The topic is also known as: biofilms.


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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This review discusses recent discoveries of antibiofilm agents and different approaches to inhibit/disperse biofilms, which have the potential to disperse bacterial biofilmms in vivo and could positively impact human medicine in the future.
Abstract: In the biofilm form, bacteria are more resistant to various antimicrobial treatments Bacteria in a biofilm can also survive harsh conditions and withstand the host's immune system Therefore, there is a need for new treatment options to treat biofilm-associated infections Currently, research is focused on the development of antibiofilm agents that are nontoxic, as it is believed that such molecules will not lead to future drug resistance In this review, we discuss recent discoveries of antibiofilm agents and different approaches to inhibit/disperse biofilms These new antibiofilm agents, which contain moieties such as imidazole, phenols, indole, triazole, sulfide, furanone, bromopyrrole, peptides, etc have the potential to disperse bacterial biofilms in vivo and could positively impact human medicine in the future

234 citations

01 Jan 2007
TL;DR: An exceptionally inspiring event followed contributions by Ken Bayles, Alan Decho, Martina Hausner, Jan Kreft, Thomas Neu, Per Nielsen, Ute Romling, and others on biofilm extracellular polymeric substances.
Abstract: In response to a suggestion by the Biofilms 2007 organizing committee to hold an evening session on biofilm extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), an exceptionally inspiring event followed contributions by Ken Bayles, Alan Decho, Martina Hausner, Jan Kreft, Thomas Neu, Per Nielsen, Ute Romling,

234 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The basics of biofilm formation are introduced and the environmental factors that shape biofilms formation are discussed, including cAMP and c-di-GMP, which are key factors that link environmental factors with gene regulation.
Abstract: Cells respond to the environment and alter gene expression. Recent studies have revealed the social aspects of bacterial life, such as biofilm formation. Biofilm formation is largely affected by the environment, and the mechanisms by which the gene expression of individual cells affects biofilm development have attracted interest. Environmental factors determine the cell's decision to form or leave a biofilm. In addition, the biofilm structure largely depends on the environment, implying that biofilms are shaped to adapt to local conditions. Second messengers such as cAMP and c-di-GMP are key factors that link environmental factors with gene regulation. Cell-to-cell communication is also an important factor in shaping the biofilm. In this short review, we will introduce the basics of biofilm formation and further discuss environmental factors that shape biofilm formation. Finally, the state-of-the-art tools that allow us investigate biofilms under various conditions are discussed.

234 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
29 Aug 2014-Mbio
TL;DR: The first to decipher the complex and unique macromolecular composition of the Candida biofilm matrix, demonstrate the clinical relevance of matrix components, and show that multiple matrix components are needed for protection from antifungal drugs.
Abstract: Virulence ofCandidais linked with its ability to form biofilms. Once established, biofilm infections are nearly impos- sible to eradicate. Biofilm cells live immersed in a self-produced matrix, a blend of extracellular biopolymers, many of which are uncharacterized. In this study, we provide a comprehensive analysis of the matrix manufactured by Candida albicans both in vitroand in a clinical niche animal model. We further explore the function of matrix components, including the impact on drug resistance. We uncovered components from each of the macromolecular classes (55% protein, 25% carbohydrate, 15% lipid, and 5% nucleic acid) in the C. albicans biofilm matrix. Three individual polysaccharides were identified and were suggested to inter- act physically. Surprisingly, a previously identified polysaccharide of functional importance, -1,3-glucan, comprised only a small portion of the total matrix carbohydrate. Newly described, more abundant polysaccharides included -1,2 branched -1,6-mannans (87%) associated with unbranched -1,6-glucans (13%) in an apparent mannan-glucan complex (MGCx). Func- tional matrix proteomic analysis revealed 458 distinct activities. The matrix lipids consisted of neutral glycerolipids (89.1%), polar glycerolipids (10.4%), and sphingolipids (0.5%). Examination of matrix nucleic acid identified DNA, primarily noncoding sequences. Several of the in vitro matrix components, including proteins and each of the polysaccharides, were also present in the matrix of a clinically relevant in vivo biofilm. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis demonstrated interaction of ag- gregate matrix with the antifungalfluconazole, consistent with a role in drug impedance and contribution of multiple matrix components. IMPORTANCE This report is thefirst to decipher the complex and unique macromolecular composition of the Candidabiofilm matrix, demonstrate the clinical relevance of matrix components, and show that multiple matrix components are needed for protection from antifungal drugs. The availability of these biochemical analyses provides a unique resource for further func- tional investigation of the biofilm matrix, a defining trait of this lifestyle.

234 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The presence of NAC changes the texture of the biofilm formed and makes NAC an interesting candidate for use as a general inhibitor of formation of bacterial biofilms on stainless steel surfaces.
Abstract: N-Acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC) is used in medical treatment of patients with chronic bronchitis. The positive effects of NAC treatment have primarily been attributed to the mucus-dissolving properties of NAC, as well as its ability to decrease biofilm formation, which reduces bacterial infections. Our results suggest that NAC also may be an interesting candidate for use as an agent to reduce and prevent biofilm formation on stainless steel surfaces in environments typical of paper mill plants. Using 10 different bacterial strains isolated from a paper mill, we found that the mode of action of NAC is chemical, as well as biological, in the case of bacterial adhesion to stainless steel surfaces. The initial adhesion of bacteria is dependent on the wettability of the substratum. NAC was shown to bind to stainless steel, increasing the wettability of the surface. Moreover, NAC decreased bacterial adhesion and even detached bacteria that were adhering to stainless steel surfaces. Growth of various bacteria, as monocultures or in a multispecies community, was inhibited at different concentrations of NAC. We also found that there was no detectable degradation of extracellular polysaccharides (EPS) by NAC, indicating that NAC reduced the production of EPS, in most bacteria tested, even at concentrations at which growth was not affected. Altogether, the presence of NAC changes the texture of the biofilm formed and makes NAC an interesting candidate for use as a general inhibitor of formation of bacterial biofilms on stainless steel surfaces.

233 citations


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Performance
Metrics
No. of papers in the topic in previous years
YearPapers
20241
20233,430
20226,827
20212,025
20202,079
20191,885