In vitro model systems for exploring oral biofilms: From single-species populations to complex multi-species...

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Biotechnology
• Oral Biology

Background:

• In vitro biofilm models are crucial for studying oral biofilms.
• Technological advancements have improved the simulation of intraoral conditions.
• Contemporary models integrate advanced imaging and analysis for greater accuracy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review modern in vitro oral biofilm model systems.
• To highlight the integration of these systems with advanced analytical techniques.
• To discuss future directions in oral biofilm research.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on in vitro oral biofilm models.
• Description of systems: constant depth film fermenter, Sorbarod perfusion, drip-flow reactor, modified Robbins device, flowcells, and microfluidic systems.
• Emphasis on integration with confocal microscopy and 16S rRNA community profiling.

Main Results:

• Several advanced in vitro model systems are available for oral biofilm studies.
• Integration with confocal microscopy and 16S rRNA profiling enhances biofilm architecture and microbial community analysis.
• These combined approaches facilitate the exploration of biofilm development and response to agents.

Conclusions:

• Modern in vitro systems, coupled with advanced imaging and analysis, significantly advance oral biofilm research.
• These integrated approaches offer deeper insights into biofilm dynamics and antimicrobial efficacy.
• Future research should focus on further refining these imaging and analysis techniques.