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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...
Microbial Mats01:25

Microbial Mats

Microbial communities forming biofilms and mats represent complex, spatially structured ecosystems where metabolic processes are stratified according to light, oxygen, and nutrient gradients. Biofilms are initial colonization stages, only a few millimeters thick, while mature microbial mats can reach centimeter-scale thickness and display intricate vertical organization. Their structural and functional heterogeneity allows microorganisms to occupy distinct ecological niches within a few...
Colonisation of Pathogens01:25

Colonisation of Pathogens

Pathogen colonization of host tissues is a critical step in the development of infectious diseases. Various pathogenic microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and protozoa, have evolved complex strategies to attach to, invade, and persist within host environments. These mechanisms enable pathogens to establish infections, evade immune responses, and resist antimicrobial treatments.Attachment to Host CellsIn bacteria, colonization typically begins with adherence to host epithelial...
Bacterial Signaling01:30

Bacterial Signaling

Bacterial signaling can occur within bacteria (intracellular) or between bacteria (intercellular). At times, a group of bacteria behaves like a community. To achieve this, they engage in quorum sensing, the perception of higher cell density that causes changes in gene expression. Quorum sensing involves both extracellular and intracellular signaling. The signaling cascade starts with a molecule called an autoinducer (AI). Individual bacteria produce AIs that move out of the bacterial cell...
The Oral Microbiota01:27

The Oral Microbiota

The oral microbiome includes a complex ecosystem comprising over 700 microbial species, identified through genomic sequencing and culture-based analyses to date. This community includes a core microbiome, found universally among individuals, and a variable component influenced by environmental factors such as diet, lifestyle, and host genetics. Site-specific conditions, including oxygen gradients, pH levels, and nutrient availability, determine the spatial distribution of these microorganisms...

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Updated: Jun 12, 2026

A Platform of Anti-biofilm Assays Suited to the Exploration of Natural Compound Libraries
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A Platform of Anti-biofilm Assays Suited to the Exploration of Natural Compound Libraries

Published on: December 27, 2016

Biofilms.

Daniel López1, Hera Vlamakis, Roberto Kolter

  • 1Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.

Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Biology
|June 4, 2010
PubMed
Summary

Bacteria form biofilms, which are communities encased in a matrix. This review explores biofilm formation mechanisms in model organisms like Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, highlighting extracellular signals.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Bacterial Physiology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Biofilm formation is a universal bacterial trait, crucial for survival and virulence.
  • Biofilms are complex multicellular communities embedded in a self-produced extracellular matrix.
  • Mechanisms of biofilm development are diverse, influenced by environmental factors and bacterial genetics.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide an overview of bacterial biofilm formation.
  • To discuss key biofilm features and regulatory mechanisms.
  • To highlight variations in biofilm development across different bacterial species.

Main Methods:

  • Review of scientific literature on bacterial biofilms.
  • Focus on four well-studied model systems: Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis, and Staphylococcus aureus.

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In vitro Biofilm Formation in an 8-well Chamber Slide
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In vitro Biofilm Formation in an 8-well Chamber Slide

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  • Analysis of mechanisms involving extracellular signals in biofilm initiation.

    • Main Results:

    • Biofilm formation involves intricate processes regulated by environmental cues and genetic factors.
    • Model organisms exhibit distinct strategies for matrix production and community assembly.
    • Extracellular signaling pathways play a critical role in triggering and coordinating biofilm development.

    Conclusions:

    • Understanding bacterial biofilm formation is essential for controlling infections and developing new therapeutic strategies.
    • Comparative analysis of model systems reveals conserved and divergent mechanisms in biofilm development.
    • Further research into extracellular signal transduction pathways can offer novel targets for biofilm disruption.