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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2022 Jan 1.
Published in final edited form as: Nat Rev Microbiol. 2020 Aug 19;19(1):23–36. doi: 10.1038/s41579-020-0420-1

Figure 3. Eradicating biofilms using NPs.

Figure 3.

Biofilms are comprised of cells with phenotypic heterogeneity embedded across the 3D-matrix of their self-secreted EPS. The ability of NPs to penetrate throughout the matrix allows them to a| interact with cells entrenched within the EPS and/or b| initiate disruptive interactions with the matrix that weaken physicochemical interactions responsible for keeping the 3D structure of biofilms intact. NPs can then either exert their inherent antimicrobial action or deliver therapeutic agents, such as antibiotics or essential oils, to kill the bacteria within the biofilms. NPs can alternatively deliver EPS-degrading molecules that promote dispersion of biofilms, facilitating their disruption.