Biofilms and Biocomplexity

Abstract

Biofilms are receiving attention as never before, reflecting our increasing awareness of their impact on health, the environment, industrial processes, and natural and manmade materials. Problems associated with biofilms cost the United States billions of dollars every year in energy losses, equipment damage, product contamination, and the management of infections. Biofilms are implicated in more than 80% of chronic inflammatory and infectious diseases caused by bacteria, including otitis media, endocarditis, gastrointestinal ulcers, infections of the urinary tract, and pulmonary infections in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients.