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Biofilms: Microbial Strategies for Surviving UV Exposure
1Department of Bioengineering, iBB-Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001, Lisboa, Portugal. ccarvalho@tecnico.ulisboa.pt.
Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
|November 11, 2017
Summary
Biofilms protect microbes from UV radiation using specialized compounds. UV light can also be used to monitor and eradicate biofilms on surfaces.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Photobiology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Microbial biofilms offer robust protection to cells against environmental stressors.
- Ultraviolet (UV) radiation has limited penetration depth within biofilm matrices.
- Microbial cells within biofilms can synthesize protective compounds against UV damage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To detail biofilm adaptation mechanisms against UV radiation.
- To explore the use of UV light for biofilm monitoring.
- To investigate UV light's efficacy in biofilm eradication on surfaces.
Main Methods:
- Review of biofilm resistance strategies.
- Analysis of UV radiation penetration in biofilms.
- Assessment of UV-based technologies for biofilm control.
Main Results:
- Biofilms exhibit multi-layered defense against UV radiation.
- UV radiation triggers the production of protective compounds like mycosporine-like amino acids and carotenoids.
- UV light shows potential for both detecting and eliminating biofilms.
Conclusions:
- Biofilms possess sophisticated evolutionary adaptations for UV protection.
- UV light application presents a dual role in managing biofilms on artificial surfaces.
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