About this Research Topic

Background

Biofilms, complex communities of microorganisms embedded in a self-produced extracellular matrix, are a major challenge in healthcare settings. These structures have a significant impact on public health and economic systems, contributing to persistent infections, chronic disease, and biofouling. The ability of biofilms to resist conventional antimicrobial treatments and evade the immune response of the host highlights the urgent need for innovative strategies to fight them.

This research topic aims to elucidate the complex processes underlying biofilm formation, maintenance, and resistance, with the ultimate goal of identifying novel antimicrobial approaches to effectively disrupt and eradicate biofilms. Traditional antibiotics often fail to destroy biofilms due to the protective nature of the extracellular matrix and the presence of dormant cells known as persisters. Thus, novel approaches are required to target these resilient microbial communities and break through the biofilm barrier. It will also investigate the genetic, biochemical, and environmental factors that contribute to the biofilm formation and persistence.

Key areas include the regulation of gene expression or protein function involved in biofilm development, the structural components of the extracellular matrix, and quorum sensing, a cell-cell communication system that helps bacteria coordinate gene expression in a density-dependent manner. The study of the molecular pathways and regulatory networks may reveal potential targets to disrupt biofilm communication and cohesion.

In addition, the possibility of using phage therapy, new antimicrobial peptides, natural compounds, non-antibiotic drug repositioning, and nanoparticles to combat biofilm-associated resistance will be explored. Another important area of interest will be the synergistic effects of combining different treatments to help break down and eradicate biofilms.

Manuscripts will primarily be selected based on novelty of research findings and scientific quality
in the following main areas:

a) Investigation of mechanisms involved the development, maintenance, and resistance/tolerance of biofilms;
b) Study of genetic, physiological, and environmental factors that influence the development and persistence of biofilms;
c) Regulation of gene expression associated with biofilm development, extracellular matrix components and quorum sensing;
d) Development of innovative antibacterial strategies, such as phage therapy, novel antimicrobial peptides and nanoparticles, that can effectively prevent biofilm formation or destroy biofilms;
e) Examination of the synergistic effects of combining different treatments to help break down and remove biofilms;
f) Exploration of the antimicrobial properties of natural compounds and repurposing existing drugs provide exploitable ways to overcome biofilm resistance/tolerance mechanisms.

We invite contributors to submit the following article types:
1. For the Antimicrobials, Resistance and Chemotherapy section we accept Mini Review, Opinion, Original Research, Perspective, Review, Systematic Review.

2. For the Biofilms section we accept: Brief Research Report, Mini Review, Opinion, Original Research, Perspective, Review.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Editorial
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Editorial
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: biofilm structures, regulation of biofilm growth, antibiofilm agents, efflux pumps, gene expression, post-translational modifications, antibiotic resistance, biofilm control, antibiofilm strategies

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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