The biofilm matrix can be considered to be a shared space for the encased microbial cells, comprising a wide variety of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), such as polysaccharides, proteins, amyloids, lipids and extracellular DNA (eDNA), as well as membrane vesicles and humic-like microbially derived refractory substances. EPS are dynamic in space and time and their components interact in complex ways, fulfilling various functions: to stabilize the matrix, acquire nutrients, retain and protect eDNA or exoenzymes, or offer sorption sites for ions and hydrophobic substances. The retention of exoenzymes effectively renders the biofilm matrix an external digestion system influencing the global turnover of biopolymers, considering the ubiquitous relevance of biofilms. Physico-chemical and biological interactions and environmental conditions enable biofilm systems to morph into films, microcolonies and macrocolonies, films, ridges, ripples, columns, pellicles, bubbles, mushrooms and suspended aggregates — in response to the very diverse conditions confronting a particular biofilm community. Assembly and dynamics of the matrix are mostly coordinated by secondary messengers, signalling molecules or small RNAs, in both medically relevant and environmental biofilms. Fully deciphering how bacteria provide structure to the matrix, and thus facilitate and benefit from extracellular reactions, remains the challenge for future biofilm research. In this Review, Flemming et al. revisit our understanding of the biofilm matrix, focusing on the diversity of the extracellular polymeric substance components and novel aspects of mechanisms and consequences of their functional interactions. 

The biofilm matrix: multitasking in a shared space

Liquid-infused surfaces (or lubricant-infused surfaces) (LIS) are a new class of functional materials introduced in 2011. Their exceptional properties have earned them a place at the forefront of many fields including anti-biofouling, anti-icing, anti-corrosion, drag reduction, droplet manipulation and drop-wise condensation. Integral to their success is the infused lubricant layer which affords them their properties. In this review, we examine the current state of the literature relating to the lubricant layer. We consider the lubricant through all stages in the surface's lifecycle from design, to use, all the way through to depletion and eventual failure. First, we examine trends in lubricant choice and how to choose a lubricant, including environmental and medical considerations. We then look at the different methods used to infuse lubricant into surfaces and how lubricant depletes from the surface. We then report direct and indirect methods to characterise the thickness and distribution of the lubricant layer. Finally, we examine how droplets interact with LIS and the unique properties afforded by the lubricant before providing an outlook into where research centred on understanding the lubricant layer is heading in the new decade.

Life and death of liquid-infused surfaces: a review on the choice, analysis and fate of the infused liquid layer.

Single and multi-functional coating strategies for enhancing the biocompatibility and tissue integration of blood-contacting medical implants

After the first ancient studies on microbial slime (the name by which the biofilm matrix was initially indicated), multitudes of studies on the morphology, composition and physiology of biofilms have arisen. The emergence of the role that biofilms play in the pathogenesis of recalcitrant and persistent clinical infections, such as periprosthetic orthopedic infections, has reinforced scientific interest. Extracellular DNA (eDNA) is a recently uncovered component that is proving to be almost omnipresent in the extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) of biofilm. This macromolecule is eliciting unprecedented consideration for the critical impact on the pathogenesis of chronic clinical infections. After a systematic review of the literature, an updated description of eDNA in biofilms is presented, with a special focus on the latest findings regarding its fundamental structural role and the contribution it makes to the complex architecture of bacterial biofilms through interactions with a variety of other molecular components of the biofilm matrix.

Extracellular DNA (eDNA). A Major Ubiquitous Element of the Bacterial Biofilm Architecture

Microbial biofilms: Recent advances and progress in environmental bioremediation.

Despite many decades of research, biofilm architecture and spreading mechanisms are still not clear because of the heterogenous 3D structure within biofilms. Here, patterned "slippery" lubricant-infused porous surfaces are utilized to study biofilm structure of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, and Staphylococcus aureus. It is found that bacteria are able to spread over bacteria-repellent lubricant-infused regions by using a mechanism, termed "biofilm bridges". Here, it is demonstrated that bacteria use bridges to form interconnected networks between distant biofilm colonies. Detailed structure of bridges shows a spatial distribution of bacteria with an accumulation of respiratory active bacteria and biomass in the bridges. The core-shell structure of bridges formed by two-species mixed population is illustrated. It is demonstrated that eDNA and nutrients have a strong effect on biofilm bridges formation. Thus, it is believed that biofilm bridging is important to reveal the structure and communication within biofilms.

/pdf/biofilm-bridges-forming-structural-networks-on-patterned-2lrxipxsb3.pdf

Biofilm Bridges Forming Structural Networks on Patterned Lubricant-Infused Surfaces.

Handle everyday research tasks with reliable, citation-backed results

Your personal Research Agent to handle research tasks with citation-backed results

Popular Tasks used by Researchers

How can I help with your research?

Meet SciSpace

Get more enhanced response by uploading the PDFs you want me to reference.

No relevant PDFs in your library

SciSpace is the AI research assistant for academics. Run systematic literature reviews on 280M+ papers, and write papers with cited sources. Trusted by 1M+ students, PhDs & researchers.

SciSpace | AI for Research

Analyze PDFs

Code & Manuscripts

Funding & Grants

Literature & Patents

Medical & Clinical Data

Systematic Review

Visualize & Present

Web & Data

Build a Google Scholar-like website for your research.

Build a website

Create charts and images for your research

Create a Chart

Write a paper for submission to a journal

Draft a manuscript

Patent Search

Design eye-catching scientific posters in minutes.

Scientific Poster Generation

Systematic Literature Review

One task is running at the moment. Your messages will be shown right after.

Drag and drop or click here to browse

Loved by <highlight>1 million+</highlight> researchers

Extract a list of specific topics and their sources from unstructured text

Topics

Compare and analyze relevant papers that matches with your search

Papers

Get insights from PDFs and bookmarked papers from your library

My library

Recent searches

Try searching for:

Catch AI-generated content in scholarly and non-scholarly content

{ai} Detector

Ai Writer

Get PDF Summaries, highlighted text explanations 

Chat with PDF

Effortlessly create in-text citations and bibliographies in APA and 2,500 other formats

Citation generator

Get explanations, summaries, and answers on academic papers

Ease up your research workflow with {scispace}'s cohort of exciting AI tools

Elevate your academic writing skills and convey your ideas the way you want

Paraphraser

Explore our range of reading and writing tools

Your file is being prepared and should be ready in a few minutes. If it's a large file, it might take a bit longer. You can close this window, and we'll email you the file when it's done.

You have reached a maximum limit of <strong>{limit}</strong> columns in the table. Remove at least <strong>1</strong> column to add or create another one.

Jan Lars Rüping

Author Tools

Chat about Author

Papers

Biofilm Bridges Forming Structural Networks on Patterned Lubricant-Infused Surfaces.