Biofilms use chemical weapons

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Biofilm in green amoebae in red. Credit: Helmholtz-Zentrum fr Infektionsforschung
Biofilm in green, amoebae in red. Credit: Helmholtz-Zentrum für Infektionsforschung
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Bacteria rarely come as loners; more often they grow in crowds and squat on surfaces where they form a community together. These so-called biofilms develop on any surface that bacteria can attach themselves to. The dilemma we face is that neither disinfectants and antibiotics, nor phagocytes and our immune system can destroy these biofilms. This is a particular problem in hospitals if these bacteria form a community on a catheter or implant where they could potentially cause a serious infection.


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