Tag Archives: biofilm
Antifouling photo-bactericidal combined effect of a Ag@nanoMOF
The formation of bacterial biofilm on surfaces occurs naturally and its inhibition and treatment to limit the propagation of infectious diseases is still an unsolved challenge. Traditionally, several antibiotics have been used to mitigate the formation of
The noxious effects of benthic diatoms on marine invertebrates
Diatoms dominate various marine and freshwater environments, at any latitude, and are responsible for up to 25% of primary production. They may be either free-living in the water column or produce benthic biofilms. Studies on the chemical
Wicherhamomyces anomalus biofilm supported on wood husk for chromium wastewater treatment
Toxic heavy metals are harmful pollutants increasingly discharged in the environment by natural and anthropogenic means. Due to its widespread use in industrial processes, chromium presents a significant impact on the surface waters and ecosystem services. Because
High potential polymer carriers to enhance antibiotic efficiency in bacterial biofilms
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a frequent genetic disease resulting in chronic and difficult-to-treat pulmonary infections and inflammation that needs a lifelong treatment with aggressive antibiotic therapy by oral, intravenous or inhaled routes. The most abundant bacterial species
Nanotechnology, is it something useful for future agriculture?
Nanotechnology has been applied in various fields – biomedicine, electronic devices, renewable energy optical electronic medicine, physics, pharmaceutics. Does it have a place in agriculture? It is generally accepted that manipulation of a crop’s native microbiome represents
Host factors, the “Simon Says” for microbial biofilms
Microbes change their behavior, i.e., phenotype, in response to environmental clues. Since microbes, e.g. normal flora and pathogens evolved with their respective hosts, being able to recognize host-derived chemical signals provides a distinctive advantage. This is particularly
Microfluidic “plaque-on-a-chip” with pH new imaging concept probes individual factors in tooth decay
Your teeth are covered in biofilm called plaque. This biomaterial consists of bacteria in a protective matrix of proteins, polysaccharides and other long organic molecules. When you eat or drink, bacterial respiration and other metabolic processes convert
Materials for tomorrow: right next to us!
The idea of an artificial device able to help human parts to regenerate or to replace entirely one of the body functions attracted the attention of research teams around the world. During recent years, a route of
Potassium in dental plaque, an old story with a new perspective
Dental plaque or biofilm is home to caries causing bacteria such as Streptococcus mutans. Interestingly, the fluid in the biofilm is like an aqueous reservoir of material shared between different species. Although the fluid content is derived
Flares and pirouettes: the different moves of spinning bacteria
Bacteria often form together on surfaces in dense communities, known as biofilms. These cause medical and industrial problems because this lifestyle increases their resistance to disease and other stresses, making them difficult to remove. We aim to
Protecting titanium implants from infection
Certain microorganisms are capable of growing in layers, forming biofilms on medical surfaces, like implants, heart valves, etc… Biofilm-associated infections on implants are responsible for 15-25 % of implant failures as biofilms are resistant to most of the
The matrix reloaded: how a self-produced extracellular matrix controls the development of multicellular microbial communities
In nature, many bacteria live in multicellular communities called biofilms. Biofilms offer their resident bacterial cells protection from environmental insults and assaults, and better attachment to hosts. For humans, they have medical and industrial costs, but also
Can bacteria resist a new antibacterial method?
Antibiotic resistance in bacteria is on the rise worldwide, making some previously-treatable infections incurable or even life-threatening. Thus there is a growing need for the discovery and development of new antibacterial methods of disinfection. Ideally these methods
Bacterial cross-talk with small molecules
Bacteria, the unicellular prokaryotic microorganisms are the first form of life to appear on earth that may be traced way back about 4 billion years ago. Bacteria exist in typically two life forms i.e planktonic or free-swimming
Filamentous bacteriophage organize bacterial biofilms into liquid crystals
At sites of chronic infection, bacteria form biofilms, clusters of bacteria encased within a slimy, polymer-rich coating called the matrix. Biofilms are of concern because bacteria within biofilms become tolerant not only to environmental stresses, but also
Hybrid moving bed biofilm reactor-membrane bioreactor system for micropollutant removal
In recent years, the frequent detection of micropollutants in the aquatic environment has raised growing concerns due to their detrimental effects on aquatic organisms and human health. Micropollutants, also termed emerging contaminants, consist of a wide variety
Fighting (for iron) to survive: therapeutic avenues for aspergillus fumigatus infections
Aspergillus fumigatus (Af), a common fungus, frequently infects the lungs of patients with compromised immune systems. Despite progress in developing anti-fungal agents, Af infections still cause a significant number of deaths, making new treatment options necessary to
