Biofilm Formation Dynamics in Pathogenic Bacteria

Biofilms are structured communities of microbial cells enclosed within a self-produced extracellular matrix, adherent to biotic or abiotic surfaces. In pathogenic bacteria, biofilm development follows a coordinated sequence of stages: initial reversible attachment, irreversible adhesion, microcolony formation, maturation into three-dimensional architectures and eventual dispersion. This process is governed by intercellular communication systems, notably quorum sensing, and by intracellular second messengers such as cyclic di-guanosine monophosphate (c-di-GMP). The extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) matrix, composed of polysaccharides, proteins, lipids and extracellular DNA (eDNA), confers mechanical stability and creates microenvironments that foster physiological heterogeneity, metabolic cooperation and enhanced tolerance to antibiotics and host defences. Environmental cues—including nutrient availability, shear stress and exposure to subinhibitory concentrations of antimicrobial agents—trigger regulatory networks that adjust matrix production, motility appendages and dispersal mechanisms. Pathogens such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli exploit biofilm formation to establish chronic infections on medical devices and host tissues, to resist immune clearance and to disseminate within the host. Understanding the dynamics of biofilm assembly, the interdependence of signalling pathways and the molecular basis of tolerance mechanisms is critical for the design of anti-biofilm strategies and for the development of therapies that disrupt biofilm integrity or block its formation at early stages.

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Biofilm Formation Dynamics in Pathogenic Bacteria publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in biofilm formation dynamics in pathogenic bacteria across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Biofilm: A community of microbial cells attached to a surface and encased in a self-produced matrix.

Extracellular polymeric substance (EPS): The mixture of polysaccharides, proteins, lipids and eDNA that forms the biofilm matrix.

c-di-GMP: A bacterial second messenger regulating the transition between planktonic and biofilm lifestyles.

Quorum sensing: Cell-to-cell communication that synchronises gene expression in a bacterial population based on cell density.

Subinhibitory concentration: An antibiotic concentration below the minimal inhibitory threshold that does not prevent bacterial growth but can modulate physiology.

Extracellular DNA (eDNA): DNA released into the environment that contributes to the structural integrity of the biofilm matrix.

References

1. A genetic screen identifies a role for oprF in Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm stimulation by subinhibitory antibiotics. npj Biofilms and Microbiomes (2024).
2. Macrolides at Clinically-Relevant Concentrations May Induce Biofilm Formation in Macrolide-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Antibiotics (2023).
3. Central metabolism is a key player in E. coli biofilm stimulation by sub-MIC antibiotics. PLOS Genetics (2023).