Bacteriophages and Biofilms 2.0

Dear Colleagues,

Biofilms are a community of surface-associated microorganisms embedded within a matrix of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS—extracellular polymeric substances) composed essentially of polysaccharides, eDNA, and proteins. These multicellular communities are characterised by the presence of different cell types in terms of physiology and phenotype.

Persister cells are much more abundant in biofilms compared to planktonic culture; therefore, it is important to understand persister cells interactions with domesticated phages (prophages) as well as with lytic ones. Phages are actively involved in biofilm formation, in two different ways: as promoting or degrading agents. Phages can be equipped with matrix-degrading enzymes and effectively infect biofilm-embedded cells. In this meaning, phages are a natural and helpful weapon against microbial biofilms. On the other hand, prophages regulate phage-mediated cell lysis and eDNA release, an important component of stabilizing the biofilm matrix.

The ability to form biofilms and to modify virulence in response to environmental changes is coordinated by complex bacterial signaling networks such as two-component systems (TCS), secondary messengers involved in quorum sensing (QS), and c-di-GMP networks (diguanylate cyclase systems, DGC). Signal cascades dynamically control the transition from free-living to the sessile mode of growth in response to external environment changes, including viral infection. Therefore, it is interesting to understand the interaction of phages with the bacterial signaling network.

In this Special Issue, we are looking for reports and reviews of the most current findings on the phage role in bacterial biofilms formation, maintenance, and degradation. We welcome the submission of original research, reviews, and mini-reviews covering but not limited to the following topics:

1. The influence of phages in regulating biofilm initiation, development, function, and dispersal;
2. Phage-mediated horizontal gene transfer within the sessile community;
3. Phage-phage interactions and communication in multicellular bacterial communities;
4. The role of phages in regulating the bacterial signaling network and intercellular interactions;
5. Phage propagation regulation/preferences during the infection of biofilm-forming bacteria;
6. Anti-viral infection mechanisms of sessile cells;
7. Phage influence on the physiology and fitness of biofilm communities;
8. The development of novel strategies for preventing or controlling biofilm formation based on phage products.

Prof. Dr. Zuzanna Drulis-Kawa
Dr. Tomasz Olszak
Guest Editors

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