Biofilm mechanics: implications in infection and survival
Biofilm mechanics: implications in infection and survival
It has long been recognized that biofilms are viscoelastic materials, however the importance of this attribute to the survival and persistence of these microbial communities is yet to be fully realized. Here we review work, which focuses on understanding biofilm mechanics and put this knowledge in the context of biofilm survival, particularly for biofilm-associated infections. We note that biofilm viscoelasticity may be an evolved property of these communities, and that the production of multiple extracellular polymeric slime components may be a way to ensure the development of biofilms with complex viscoelastic properties. We discuss viscoelasticity facilitating biofilm survival in the context of promoting the formation of larger and stronger biofilms when exposed to shear forces, promoting fluid-like behavior of the biofilm and subsequent biofilm expansion by viscous flow, and enabling resistance to both mechanical and chemical methods of clearance. We conclude that biofilm viscoelasticity contributes to the virulence of chronic biofilm infections.
biofilm, mechanics, viscoelasticity, Biophysics, extracellular matrix, extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), tolerance, Persistence
Gloag, Erin S.
36de1738-c25d-4eb7-acd3-1ad55d9a7cee
Fabbri, Stefania
c93b6166-2117-48a9-9a88-b23a62c7b5da
Wozniak, Daniel J.
bfa8e8e5-5929-449b-af6a-ec2d86c47eb5
Stoodley, Paul
08614665-92a9-4466-806e-20c6daeb483f
December 2020
Gloag, Erin S.
36de1738-c25d-4eb7-acd3-1ad55d9a7cee
Fabbri, Stefania
c93b6166-2117-48a9-9a88-b23a62c7b5da
Wozniak, Daniel J.
bfa8e8e5-5929-449b-af6a-ec2d86c47eb5
Stoodley, Paul
08614665-92a9-4466-806e-20c6daeb483f
Gloag, Erin S., Fabbri, Stefania, Wozniak, Daniel J. and Stoodley, Paul
(2020)
Biofilm mechanics: implications in infection and survival.
Biofilm, 2, [100017].
(doi:10.1016/j.bioflm.2019.100017).
Abstract
It has long been recognized that biofilms are viscoelastic materials, however the importance of this attribute to the survival and persistence of these microbial communities is yet to be fully realized. Here we review work, which focuses on understanding biofilm mechanics and put this knowledge in the context of biofilm survival, particularly for biofilm-associated infections. We note that biofilm viscoelasticity may be an evolved property of these communities, and that the production of multiple extracellular polymeric slime components may be a way to ensure the development of biofilms with complex viscoelastic properties. We discuss viscoelasticity facilitating biofilm survival in the context of promoting the formation of larger and stronger biofilms when exposed to shear forces, promoting fluid-like behavior of the biofilm and subsequent biofilm expansion by viscous flow, and enabling resistance to both mechanical and chemical methods of clearance. We conclude that biofilm viscoelasticity contributes to the virulence of chronic biofilm infections.
Text
PS230 Gloag_Mechanics Review_final
- Accepted Manuscript
Text
1-s2.0-S2590207519300176-main-1
- Version of Record
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Accepted/In Press date: 9 December 2019
e-pub ahead of print date: 19 December 2019
Published date: December 2020
Keywords:
biofilm, mechanics, viscoelasticity, Biophysics, extracellular matrix, extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), tolerance, Persistence
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 438364
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/438364
ISSN: 2590-2075
PURE UUID: 231b11e6-ad12-4b98-9fd8-b588c076ccf6
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Date deposited: 06 Mar 2020 17:33
Last modified: 17 Mar 2024 05:10
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Contributors
Author:
Erin S. Gloag
Author:
Stefania Fabbri
Author:
Daniel J. Wozniak
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