What Are Biofilms?

• A biofilm is a single- or multi-species community of microorganisms residing within a self-produced polymer matrix that attaches to the interface of a surface and a liquid.
• A biofilm’s effects can be beneficial, neutral, or harmful to us and our environment.
• Controlling or eliminating negative-impacting biofilms over any significant time span is extremely difficult as they can, with sufficient resources, grow at exponential rates and survive for long periods of time.
• Naturally-occurring biofilms are multi-species, rendering chemical and antibiotic-based site targeting ineffective, except in quantities and concentrations that would result in unacceptable consequences for humans, animals, and the environment.
• Consensus is forming that the safe control and elimination of pathogenic biofilms is critically important in all these settings.