Microbial Biofilms (Biotechnology Research) Book

Hilary Lappin-Scott (Editor), J. William Costerton (Editor), James Lynch

Formation of microcolonies on surfaces is an important bacterial survival strategy. These so-called biofilms occur on both inert and living systems, making them important to a wide range of scientific disciplines. For instance, biofilms have important engineering implications, such as in mining industries, the corrosion of pipelines and pure and waste water industries. Biofilms have medical significance when associated with the mouth, urinary tract, and urinogenital tract. In addition, they form in plant root systems and in animals, such as in the ruminant digestive tract, and so are agriculturally important. This book is unique in that it is one of the first to cover the medical, industrial, and ecological aspects of this field. The first section provides an analysis of the chemical, ecological and physical processes involved with the development of biofilms and their interactions with surfaces. The next section deals with biofilms on non-living surfaces. The final section examines interactions with living surfaces.