Biofilms are surface-attached, structured microbial communities embedded in a self-produced extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) matrix. Microorganisms that form biofilms include bacteria, fungi, and algae. When a biofilm is formed, there is a dramatic shift in the phenotypic behaviour and gene expression in the microbial cells compared with those in their planktonic form. These distinct features of biofilm allow the microbial cells to adhere to any surface. Biofilms are not just microbial slime layers but biological systems. The microbial cells organize themselves into a coordinated functional community.
Biofilms play a pivotal role in the environment and human health. They take up 99% of microorganisms in nature, account for 65% of human infections, and cause 80% of food contamination. The biofilm provides a favourable and protective environment for the microbial cells, making them more resistant to adverse environmental factors, antimicrobial agents and the host immune system. Since biofilm could compose of various genera and species of microorganisms, it poses a hotspot in diagnostics/detection and thus it is relevant to engineering. Furthermore, biofilm has also been found to be an important form of applied, engineering and industrial microbiology. Therefore, the understanding and engineering of biofilm are of significant importance across a broad spectrum of science, technology and applications.
This collection aims to bring together original research articles, technical notes and reviews on all aspects of biofilm, including but not limited to medicine and health, environments, application, engineering and industrial, basic science and biology, antimicrobial resistance and material, food science and safety, diagnostics and detection.
