Microbiology: breaking down biofilms

Curr Biol. 2002 Feb 19;12(4):R132-4. doi: 10.1016/s0960-9822(02)00706-6.

Abstract

Biofilms--adherent bacterial communities embedded in a polymer matrix--are common in nature and can cause persistent human infections that are highly resistant to antibiotics. Recent work provides insight into how these communities develop and function, and offers clues to combating them.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Bacteria / drug effects
  • Bacteria / genetics
  • Bacteria / pathogenicity
  • Bacterial Infections / drug therapy
  • Bacterial Infections / microbiology
  • Biofilms / drug effects
  • Biofilms / growth & development*
  • Cell Adhesion
  • Drug Resistance, Bacterial
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial
  • Humans
  • Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis