title: Emerging frontiers in detection and control of bacterial biofilms.
abstract: Bacteria form surface-attached biofilm communities in nature. In contrast to free-living cells, bacterial cells within biofilms resist sanitizers and antimicrobials. While building biofilms, cells physiologically adapt to sustain the otherwise lethal impacts of a variety of environmental stress conditions. In this development, the production and embedding of cells in extracellular polymeric substances plays a key role. Biofilm bacteria can cause a range of problems to food processing including reduced heat-cold transfer, clogging water pipelines, food spoilage and they may cause infections among consumers. Recent biofilm investigations with the aim of potential control approaches include a combination of bacterial genetics, systems biology, materials and mechanic engineering and chemical biology.
authors.affiliation: Singapore Centre on Environmental Life Sciences Engineering (SCELSE), Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551, Singapore; Singapore Centre on Environmental Life Sciences Engineering (SCELSE), Interdisciplinary Graduate School, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551, Singapore.
authors.forename: Seth Yang-En
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.affiliation: Singapore Centre on Environmental Life Sciences Engineering (SCELSE), Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551, Singapore; Singapore Centre on Environmental Life Sciences Engineering (SCELSE), Interdisciplinary Graduate School, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551, Singapore.
authors.forename: Su Chuen
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Chew
authors.affiliation: Singapore Centre on Environmental Life Sciences Engineering (SCELSE), Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551, Singapore; School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551, Singapore.
authors.forename: Sean Yang-Yi
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.affiliation: Singapore Centre on Environmental Life Sciences Engineering (SCELSE), Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551, Singapore; Costerton Biofilm Center, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 København N, Denmark.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Givskov
authors.affiliation: Singapore Centre on Environmental Life Sciences Engineering (SCELSE), Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551, Singapore; School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551, Singapore. Electronic address: ly@bio.dtu.dk.
authors.forename: Liang
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development*; D002616:Chemical Engineering; D005511:Food Handling / Q000379:methods; D005516:Food Microbiology; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing; D049490:Systems Biology