Year: 2016
Type: review
Abstract: Biofilms are widespread in nature and constitute an important strategy implemented by microorganisms to survive in sometimes harsh environmental conditions. They can be beneficial or have a negative impact particularly when formed in industrial settings or on medical devices. As such, research into the formation and elimination of biofilms is important for many disciplines. Several new methodologies have been recently developed for, or adapted to, biofilm studies that have contributed to deeper knowledge on biofilm physiology, structure and composition. In this review, traditional and cutting-edge methods to study biofilm biomass, viability, structure, composition and physiology are addressed. Moreover, as there is a lack of consensus among the diversity of techniques used to grow and study biofilms. This review intends to remedy this, by giving a critical perspective, highlighting the advantages and limitations of several methods. Accordingly, this review aims at helping scientists in finding the most appropriate and up-to-date methods to study their biofilms.
Source: Critical Reviews in Microbiology
Authors: Joana Azeredo, Nuno F. Azevedo, Romain Briandet, Nuno Cerca, Tom Coenye, Ana Rita Costa, Mickaël Desvaux, Giovanni Di Bonaventura, Michel Hébraud, Zoran Jaglic, Miroslava Kačániová, Susanne Knøchel, Anália Lourenço, Filipe Mergulhão, Rikke Louise Meyer, George Nychas, Manuel Simões, Odile Tresse, Claus Sternberg
Institutions: University of Minho, Universidade do Porto, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, Microbiologie de l’alimentation au service de la santé, Ghent University, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, University of Chieti-Pescara, Veterinary Research Institute, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, University of Copenhagen, Universidade de Vigo, Aarhus University, Agricultural University of Athens, SECurité des ALIments et Microbiologie, Oniris, Université de Nantes, Nantes Université, Technical University of Denmark
Language: English
Subfield: Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Funder: Nuclear Physics
OpenAlex ID: W2553095014