Oral Biofilms, 2nd Edition

Dear Colleagues,

Microbial species are present in nature either as planktonic cells or incorporated into biofilms. Biofilms evolve from the planktonic state and are characterized as dense micro-communities that grow on inert surfaces and encapsulate themselves with secreted polymers. When organisms form a biofilm, they are able to adapt to environmental change by altering their gene expression patterns. The biofilm structure and related changes in gene expression can protect the microbes from disinfectant agents or antibiotics. The resultant biofilm can pose a serious public health issue. The physical nature of biofilms and the survival mechanisms they possess, whether phenotypic adaptability or genetic resistance, leave them impervious to antibiotic treatment. Given the lack of response to traditional antimicrobial therapy, biofilm infections currently pose a great challenge to the world of medicine.

The majority of oral microbes are commensal organisms. Those that are pathogenic microbes can result in oral infections and in some cases can initiate systemic diseases. This Special Issue focused on oral biofilms will address (1) the development and life cycle of oral biofilms; (2) innovative approaches to studying oral biofilms; and (3) methods to control the pathogenesis associated with biofilms.

Prof. Dr. Zvi Loewy
Guest Editor

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