Biofilm
A section of Microorganisms (ISSN 2076-2607).
Section Information
Aims and Scope
Biofilms are self-organizing, predominantly sessile, autonomously replicating microbial communities embedded in a self-produced and environmentally enriched extracellular matrix, which resemble the tissue structure of higher organisms. The self-organisation of self-replicating entities is governed by highly conserved as well as organism-specific developmental programs. Bacteria and fungi, but even viruses, protozoa and other free-living organisms, can arrange in biofilms, both individually and in combination.
Spanning from a geochemical impact deeply founded in the history of the earth to its current detrimental clinical impact as refractory infections, the ubiquitousness and diversity of biofilms is as tremendous as the different environmental conditions and the diversity of microorganisms.
Compared with single planktonic cells, the biofilm lifestyle arises from a deep transformation of the microbes’ physiology and metabolism, which can result in an exceptional tolerance against environmental stresses, exposure to antimicrobials and immune responses of host organisms.
In this section, original and review articles reporting state-of-art developments and covering the various basic and applied aspects of biofilms—across medical, industrial and environmental settings—are welcome. As most information regarding microbial biofilms is derived from in vitro observations, the editors welcome studies investigating in vivo biofilms.
Keywords
- Antibiofilm drugs
- Antibiofilm strategies
- Antimicrobial tolerance
- Beneficial biofilms
- Biofilm-based healthcare-associated infections
- Biofilm-based infections in veterinary medicine
- Biofilm development
- Biofilm dispersal
- Biofilm–host interactions
- Biofilm–immune system interactions
- Bioinformatics
- Environmental biofilms
- Evolution of biofilms
- Extracellular biofilm matrix
- Horizontal gene transfer in biofilms
- Industrial biofilms
- Inter-kingdom mixed biofilms
- Microbial adhesion
- Medical Biofilms
- Monospecies biofilms
- Multispecies biofilms
- Persister cells
- Quorum sensing in biofilms
- Second messenger signaling
- Stress tolerance
- Viable, but not culturable cells
- Biofilm and Food Safety
- Biofilms in Wounds
- Fungal Biofilm
- Tolerance mechanisms in biofilms
Editorial Board
Topical Advisory Panel
Special Issues
Following special issues within this section are currently open for submissions:
- Pathogenic Biofilms: Physiology, Molecular Mechanisms and Counter Strategies (Deadline: 15 December 2024)
- Research on Microbial Periprosthetic Infections (Deadline: 31 December 2024)
- Advances in Microbial Biofilm Formation (Deadline: 28 February 2025)
- Challenges of Biofilm-Associated Bone and Joint Infections (Deadline: 28 February 2025)
- Advanced Research on Bacterial Biofilm: 2nd Edition (Deadline: 28 February 2025)
- Oral Microorganisms and Biofilm (Deadline: 15 March 2025)
- Biofilm: Formation, Control, and Applications (Deadline: 15 March 2025)
- Bacterial Communication: The Quorum Sensing Paradigm (Deadline: 15 March 2025)
- Microbial Biofilms: New Insights into Formation, Resistance and Control (Deadline: 15 April 2025)
- Advanced Research on Microbial Biofilms—a Themed Issue in Honor of Professor Gianfranco Donelli (Deadline: 30 April 2025)
Topical Collection
Following topical collection within this section is currently open for submissions:
