title: Protocol for Determination of the Persister Subpopulation in Candida Albicans Biofilms.
abstract: In contrast to planktonic cultures of the human fungal pathogen Candida albicans, C. albicans biofilms can contain a persister subpopulation that is tolerant to high concentrations of currently used antifungals. In this chapter, the method to determine the persister fraction in a C. albicans biofilm treated with an antifungal compound is described. To this end, a mature biofilm is developed and subsequently treated with a concentration series of the antifungal compound of interest. Upon incubation, the fraction of surviving biofilm cells is determined by plating and plotted versus the used concentrations of the antifungal compound. If a persister subpopulation in the biofilm is present, the dose-dependent killing of the biofilm cells results in a biphasic killing pattern.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Microbial and Plant Genetics (CMPG), KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 20, Box 2460, Leuven, 3001, Belgium.
authors.forename: Katrijn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: De Brucker
authors.affiliation: Centre for Microbial and Plant Genetics (CMPG), KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 20, Box 2460, Leuven, 3001, Belgium.|Department of Plant Systems Biology, VIB, Technologiepark 927, Ghent, 9052, Belgium.
authors.forename: Kaat
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: De Cremer
authors.affiliation: Centre for Microbial and Plant Genetics (CMPG), KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 20, Box 2460, Leuven, 3001, Belgium. Bruno.cammue@biw.kuleuven.be.|Department of Plant Systems Biology, VIB, Technologiepark 927, Ghent, 9052, Belgium. Bruno.cammue@biw.kuleuven.be.
authors.forename: Bruno P A
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Cammue
authors.affiliation: Centre for Microbial and Plant Genetics (CMPG), KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 20, Box 2460, Leuven, 3001, Belgium.
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Thevissen
mesh_terms: D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D025141:Drug Resistance, Fungal / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents
keywords: Antifungal compound; Biofilm; Candida albicans; Persisters