Figure 1.

Biofilm development and antibiofilm strategies. The microbial biofilm cycle could be classified into 4 phases: Initial attachment, Adhesion, Maturation, and Dispersal. The biofilm inhibitory and dispersal strategies are summarized as per the stages in biofilm development. (A) The initial attachment can be disrupted by interfering with the interactions between the surface and the microorganism either by surface remodeling or physical removal of the biofilms; (B) Adhesion can be inhibited by targeting biofilm EPS and cellular division; (C) Disruption of biofilms in proliferating and maturing phase may be accomplished either by physical removal or by damaging the EPS matrix primarily by affecting the formation of pathogenic microenvironments (such as hypoxia or low pH), and quorum sensing along with the eradication of persister cells. (D) Biofilm dispersal could be achieved by remodeling the EPS matrix or accelerating the dispersal mechanisms. (Different colors of the cells represent different bacteria within the biofilm. Circular cells represent cocci and rod shaped cells represent bacilli).