Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 19, 2026

A New Method for Qualitative Multi-scale Analysis of Bacterial Biofilms on Filamentous Fungal Colonies Using Confocal and Electron Microscopy
09:45

A New Method for Qualitative Multi-scale Analysis of Bacterial Biofilms on Filamentous Fungal Colonies Using Confocal and Electron Microscopy

Published on: January 25, 2017

Our current understanding of fungal biofilms

Gordon Ramage1, Eilidh Mowat, Brian Jones

  • 1Section of Infection and Immunity, Glasgow Dental School and Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of Glasgow, UK. g.ramage@dental.gla.ac.uk

Critical Reviews in Microbiology
|October 30, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Fungal biofilms pose a growing threat, causing high mortality rates. This review explores the biology and clinical impact of fungal biofilms, highlighting their resistance to antifungal treatments.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Biotechnology

Background:

  • Fungal biofilms are a significant clinical challenge, linked to substantial mortality.
  • Candida albicans is a primary cause, but other fungi like Cryptococcus neoformans and Aspergillus fumigatus also form biofilms.
  • These biofilms exhibit distinct developmental stages: adhesion, colonization, maturation, and dispersal, regulated by intricate molecular pathways.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current understanding of fungal biofilm biology.
  • To discuss the clinical implications of fungal biofilm infections.
  • To highlight the challenge of antifungal recalcitrance in biofilm-associated diseases.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of basic fungal biofilm biology.
  • Analysis of clinical data related to fungal biofilm infections.
  • Synthesis of information on molecular mechanisms governing biofilm development.

Main Results:

  • Fungal biofilms present a major clinical threat with high mortality rates.
  • Multiple fungal species, beyond Candida albicans, are implicated in biofilm infections.
  • Antifungal recalcitrance is a critical challenge in treating fungal biofilm infections.

Conclusions:

  • A comprehensive understanding of fungal biofilm biology is crucial for developing effective treatments.
  • Addressing the inherent resistance of fungal biofilms to antifungal therapies is paramount.
  • Further research into the molecular underpinnings of fungal biofilms is needed to combat associated infections.

More Related Videos

Microfluidic Tools for Probing Fungal-Microbial Interactions at the Cellular Level08:19

Microfluidic Tools for Probing Fungal-Microbial Interactions at the Cellular Level

Published on: June 23, 2022

Visualization of Biofilm Formation in Candida albicans Using an Automated Microfluidic Device11:14

Visualization of Biofilm Formation in Candida albicans Using an Automated Microfluidic Device

Published on: December 14, 2017

Related Concept Videos

Biofilms01:29

Biofilms

Biofilms are complex communities of microorganisms encased in a self-produced extracellular polysaccharide matrix attached to surfaces. These microbial consortia can include single or multiple species, providing enhanced survival benefits by forming organized, multilayered structures.The formation of biofilms occurs through four key stages: attachment, colonization, development, and dispersal.During attachment, free-swimming planktonic cells adhere to a surface, often facilitated by...
Overview of Fungi01:29

Overview of Fungi

Fungi are a diverse group of eukaryotes more closely related to animals than other eukaryotes. Fungal cell walls comprise chitin, a polysaccharide that provides structural strength, and glucans, which contribute to flexibility and integrity. Other polysaccharides, such as mannans and galactosans, may supplement or replace chitin in some fungi. These adaptations, along with their preference for acidic environments and tolerance for high osmotic pressure, enable fungi to thrive in various...
Fungal Group Zygomycota01:29

Fungal Group Zygomycota

Zygomycota, previously classified as a distinct fungal group, are primarily terrestrial, saprophytic molds that play a crucial role as decomposers. Recent phylogenetic studies have revealed that these fungi are now divided into two major clades — Mucoromycota, which includes many symbiotic species, and Zoopagomycota, which primarily consists of parasitic and pathogenic fungi. These groups exhibit distinct ecological roles and reproductive strategies while sharing key structural and...
Biodeterioration01:28

Biodeterioration

Biodeterioration refers to the unwanted alteration of materials caused by microorganisms—especially fungi—which damage both organic substrates (paper, wood, textiles) and inorganic ones (stone, plaster, glass). Unlike abiotic decay, biodeterioration results from biological activity that produces physical disruption and chemical degradation.Physical deterioration occurs as fungal hyphae penetrate pores, cracks, and surface irregularities. Hyphal turgor pressure, thigmotropic growth along...
Antifungal Agents01:15

Antifungal Agents

Amphotericin B is a broad-spectrum antifungal agent that exploits structural differences between fungal and mammalian cell membranes. Its amphipathic structure—featuring a hydrophobic polyene-lactone ring and a hydrophilic region containing mycosamine and carboxylic acid groups—enables selective binding to ergosterol, a sterol predominantly found in fungal plasma membranes. This selective interaction underlies the drug’s antifungal activity, although weak binding to cholesterol contributes to...