Pathogenic Biofilms: Physiology, Molecular Mechanisms and Counter Strategies

Dear Colleagues,

Biofilms (BFs) make up a structured microbial community of sessile cells embedded in a extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) matrix, offering a survival strategy against adverse environmental factors or immune responses. Pathogenic bacteria in BFs benefit in terms of multidrug-resistance (MDR) growth, virulence, persistence, and acquisition. Consequently, BF-associated infections are involved in serious illness and death for the host. Some researches focused on the early stages of BF formation, such as molecular mechanisms of quorum sensing and early interactions between bacteria and surfaces. Other researches have aimed to degrade the EPS matrix or use bacterial viruses (phages) to destroy mature BFs. Each of these strategies aims to expand knowledge on the physiological and molecular mechanisms that lead to the formation and maturation of BFs.

As Guest Editor of the Special Issue, we invite you to submit research articles, review articles, and short communications related to the physiology, molecular mechanisms, and counter strategies of pathogenic biofilms.

Dr. Domenico Franco
Dr. Laura Maria De Plano
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Microorganisms is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• pathogenic biofilm
• planktonic and sessile cells
• antiadhesive and antifouling strategies
• quorum sensing
• quorum quenching
• extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs)
• phage therapy