The non-attached biofilm aggregate

Kasper N Kragh; Tim Tolker-Nielsen; Mads Lichtenberg

doi:10.1038/s42003-023-05281-4

The non-attached biofilm aggregate

Commun Biol. 2023 Sep 1;6(1):898. doi: 10.1038/s42003-023-05281-4.

Authors

Kasper N Kragh¹, Tim Tolker-Nielsen¹, Mads Lichtenberg²

Affiliations

¹ Costerton Biofilm Center, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
² Costerton Biofilm Center, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark. mlichtenberg@sund.ku.dk.

Abstract

Biofilms have conventionally been perceived as dense bacterial masses on surfaces, following the five-step model of development. Initial biofilm research focused on surface-attached formations, but detached aggregates have received increasing attention in the past decade due to their pivotal role in chronic infections. Understanding their nature sparked fervent discussions in biofilm conferences and scientific literature. This review consolidates current insights on non-attached aggregates, offering examples of their occurrence in nature and diseases. We discuss their formation and dispersion mechanisms, resilience to antibiotics and immune-responses, drawing parallels to surface-attached biofilms. Moreover, we outline available in vitro models for studying non-attached aggregates.

Publication types

Review
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Anti-Bacterial Agents* / pharmacology
Biofilms*
Molecular Weight

Substances

Anti-Bacterial Agents