title: Candida albicans biofilms: building a heterogeneous, drug-tolerant environment.
abstract: Fungi are able to form biofilms on medical implants, causing serious infections. A better understanding of fungal biofilm formation is necessary to develop tools for detection or prevention and to identify new antifungal strategies. This review explores recent advances in the characterization at the molecular level of fungal biofilms, especially those formed by the yeast Candida albicans: the identification of complex transcriptional networks that control their formation; the pivotal role of the extracellular matrix in biofilm antifungal tolerance; and the knowledge gained on the physiology of biofilm cells and heterogeneity within these communities. These findings may help develop new, targeted therapeutic strategies.
authors.affiliation: Université de Caen Basse-Normandie EA 4655, U2RM, CHU Côte de Nacre, F-14033 Caen, France.
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bonhomme
authors.forename: Christophe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: d'Enfert
mesh_terms: D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018441:Biofilms / Q000254:growth & development*; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D004361:Drug Tolerance
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents