[Model systems for bacterial biofilm research].
Contrast to planktonic cells, biofilms are complex communities of microorganisms that develop on biotic or abiotic surfaces. Most of bacteria can form biofilms under proper conditions. Once biofilm form, the inner bacteria cells often exhibit reduced antibiotic susceptibility than their free-floating counterparts, so conventional methods of killing bacteria, such as antibiotics and disinfections are often ineffective with them. Biofilms may cause huge economic loss in equipment damage, product contamination, energy losses and medical infections. Therefore, bacterial biofilm is evolving as a focal problem and an active area of research. As a relatively new area, the progress of biofilm science depends on the development of a satisfactory set of methods. But the classic methods to study planktonic bacteria cannot fulfill the biofilm research, one for which there are few widely accepted methodological standards. Even though biofilms are complicated physical-chemical-biological systems, experience demonstrates that accessible research methods are feasible. In this paper, the theories, principles, merits and limitations of some methods currently used in bacterial biofilm researches, involving artificial biofilm forming and biofilm measurement, were discussed.
Li
Jing-bao
JB
School of Medicine and Pharmaceutics, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China. alginate798@hotmail.com
Han
Feng
F
Yu
Wen-gong
WG
D001419:Bacteria / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology; D018407:Bacterial Physiological Phenomena; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D018441:Biofilms; D008853:Microscopy / Q000379:methods; D008954:Models, Biological; D013194:Staining and Labeling / Q000379:methods