Extracellular Matrix of Microbial Biofilms

Dear Colleagues,

In both natural and artificial ecosystems, microbial cells have the remarkable ability to aggregate and embed themselves in a complex extracellular matrix (ECM), ultimately forming highly organized and structured biofilms which adhere to biotic and abiotic surfaces or suspend within the fluid as flocs. As a self-protective survival strategy in response to environmental stresses, biofilms play a crucial role in the survival of microbes under hostile conditions and have significant impacts on human life. The ECM serves as a physical substratum crucial for maintaining the architecture of biofilms, and it typically consists of a mixture of exopolysaccharides, proteins, nucleic acids, and other components. The ECM provides numerous benefits to the cells within the biofilm (such as acting as a molecular glue to facilitate cell adhesion; conferring protection from various stresses; maintaining structural integrity; establishing nutrient and waste product gradients; and participating in cell–cell communication, migration, or genetic exchange).

This Special Issue aims to provide a multidisciplinary platform for scholars to share valuable information about recent findings (both basic and applied) on the ECM of microbial biofilms. Special emphasis will be placed on the basic components of the ECM, organization and architectures, macromolecular interactions, construction processes, biological and physiological functions, its potential as a target for biofilm control, and analysis methodologies, among other things.

Original research articles, short communications, and reviews are warmly welcomed for submission.

Prof. Dr. Wei Hu
Guest Editor

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.

• microbial cells
• extracellular matrix
• cell adhesion
• microbial biofilms