Existing and Novel Techniques to Study Biofilms
Paramita Basu
from: Microbial Biofilms: Current Research and Practical Implications (Edited by: Arindam Mitra). Caister Academic Press, U.K. (2020) Pages: 99-134.
Abstract
Bacterial biofilms are aggregates of microorganisms in which cells adhere to each other and also to a solid surface or an animal host cavity (oral cavity in humans and rats and nasal cavities in non-human hosts). Biofilms also commonly occur on the surface of in-dwelling devices in humans, on dentures and medical devices and sutures etc. placed inside the body. The complex composition of bacterial biofilms with EPS (extracellular polymeric substance) includes proteins, polysaccharides, extracellular DNA, peptidoglycan, lipids and phospholipids. These substances play a role in the initial adhesion of bacteria to a surface and maintenance of the biofilm structure. This chapter describes various traditional and novel techniques are available for studying structures of bacterial biofilms, their analysis and quantification. The methods vary in their approach and include colorimetric and fluorescence-based methods to evaluate and quantify biofilm matrix and viability, direct imaging using different types of microscopy, as well as molecular approaches including omics studies and are described in terms of methodology and application read more ...
