Feature Papers in Biofilms and Materials in Asia

Dear Colleagues,

Biofilms are complex microbial communities that form on material surfaces—at interfaces between solid–liquid or solid–vapor phases. Their formation can lead to serious problems in various industries, including healthcare, maritime, food processing, and water treatment. At the same time, they can also be harnessed for beneficial applications such as wastewater treatment and bioremediation. Therefore, biofilm formation must be properly understood and strategically controlled—either suppressed or promoted depending on the context.

Biofilm development is a multi-step process initiated by bacterial attachment to surfaces, often enriched with nutrients such as carbon compounds. Once adhered, bacteria may undergo cycles of attachment and detachment. When the population reaches a critical threshold, quorum sensing is triggered—prompting collective behavior such as the secretion of extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs), which include polysaccharides, proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids. This EPS matrix stabilizes the microbial community, protects it from external threats, and facilitates further growth by incorporating surrounding organic and inorganic materials. As a result, biofilms can drastically alter the surface properties of materials, including corrosion resistance and fouling behavior.

While antibiofilm and antibacterial strategies share some common ground, they are not equivalent. Antibiofilm technologies must account for the complex stages and structural resilience of biofilms, which go beyond simple microbial inhibition.

This Special Issue aims to highlight cutting-edge research in Asia at the intersection of biofilm science and material engineering. We welcome original research articles, reviews, and short communications addressing (but not limited to) the following:

• The evaluation and analysis of biofilm formation on material surfaces;
• The development of anti-biofilm and biofilm-controlling materials;
• Surface modifications or coatings to suppress or harness biofilm activity;
• Mechanistic studies linking material properties with microbial behavior;
• Applications in medical devices, marine environments, food processing, and industrial systems.

We particularly welcome contributions from researchers based in Asia or working on topics relevant to the region.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Hideyuki Kanematsu
Guest Editor

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• biofilm formation
• anti-biofilm
• biofilm-controlling materials
• biofilms