Biofilm
Definition
A structured microbial community attached to a surface, typically more tolerant to antibiotics/biocides than planktonic cells.
Why it matters
For scientific teams:
- Biofilms exhibit altered physiology and tolerance.
- More accurately represent real-world infections.
- Enable study of persistence mechanisms.
For decision-makers:
- Supports clinically relevant antimicrobial testing.
- Addresses unmet needs in infection modeling.
- Enables differentiated microbiology workflows.
FAQ
Q: Why are biofilms harder to treat?
A: The matrix and altered physiology increase tolerance.
Q: Why study biofilms under flow?
A: Shear affects attachment, growth, and detachment.