Production of Bioactive Metabolites in Microbial Biofilms in the Marine Environment

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue aims to describe the production of biologically-active compounds by marine bacteria that form biofilms, either in association with other marine organisms, or attached to abiotic surfaces.

In the marine environment, many bacteria lead sessile lifestyles, attached to various biotic and abiotic surfaces, where they often form biofilms. Biofilms, which are populations of bacteria that are encased within polymeric matrix, represent an important survival strategy. In addition to shielding bacteria from environmental stresses, it has been established that biofilm formation can drive production of biologically active compounds. The latter can further aid in the survival of producers acting as a powerful tool in competing with other microorganisms, as well as eukaryotes.

Production of bioactive compounds by eukaryote associated bacteria can also play an important role in symbiotic interactions. For example, bioactive compounds produced by associated bacteria can protect the host against unwanted colonisation while the bacterium can benefit from a relatively nutrient rich environment provided by the host.

Dr. Anahit Penesyan
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. Marine Drugs 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 2900 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.

• marine microorganisms
• bioactive compounds
• biofilms
• drug discovery