Strategic advancements and multimodal applications of biofilm therapy

Biofilm is a layer of mucilage consisting of bacterial species like Escherichia coli and Streptococcus aureus adhering to the solid cell surface. Biofilm is an important and novel approach in a delivery system consisting of six elements that includes extracellular DNA, enzymes, proteins, bacteria, exopolysaccharides and water channels. The biofilm formation is based on two mechanisms: extra polymeric substance and quorum sensing. The microbes present in biofilm prevent direct interaction between the cell surface and foreign materials, like allergens, or toxic gases, like carbon-monoxide and chlorofluorocarbon, entering the body.

The authors focus on the novel applications of biofilms such as adhesives, tissue engineering, targeted delivery system, probiotics, nutrients delivery, etc. Moreover, the information of the factors for biofilm formation, techniques useful in biofilm formation, and clinical studies are also covered in this article.

Many people believe that biofilms have a negative impact on human health, but the expert opinion states that biofilm is a futuristic approach useful in therapeutics for the treatment of tumors and cancer. Biofilms can be combined with novel delivery systems such as nanoparticles, microparticles, etc. for better therapeutic action.