Biofilms

  1. Biofilm Formation and Lifecycle
    1. Overview of Biofilm Development
      1. Sequential Stages of Formation
        1. Dynamic Nature of Biofilm Lifecycle
          1. Temporal Aspects of Development
          2. Stage 1: Reversible Attachment
            1. Initial Contact with Surfaces
              1. Role of Surface Properties
                1. Surface Roughness
                  1. Surface Chemistry
                    1. Hydrophobicity and Hydrophilicity
                      1. Surface Charge
                      2. Physicochemical Forces
                        1. Van der Waals Forces
                          1. Electrostatic Interactions
                            1. Hydrodynamic Forces
                              1. Brownian Motion
                              2. Environmental Factors Affecting Attachment
                                1. Temperature
                                  1. pH
                                    1. Ionic Strength
                                      1. Flow Conditions
                                    2. Stage 2: Irreversible Attachment
                                      1. Transition from Reversible to Irreversible Attachment
                                        1. Role of Adhesins
                                          1. Pili
                                            1. Fimbriae
                                              1. Flagella
                                                1. Surface Proteins
                                                2. Production of Adhesive Substances
                                                  1. Molecular Mechanisms of Firm Attachment
                                                  2. Stage 3: Microcolony Formation
                                                    1. Cell-to-Cell Adhesion Mechanisms
                                                      1. Proliferation and Aggregation
                                                        1. Formation of Microcolonies
                                                          1. Early EPS Production
                                                            1. Cell Division and Growth Patterns
                                                            2. Stage 4: Biofilm Maturation
                                                              1. Development of 3D Architecture
                                                                1. Layer Formation
                                                                  1. Structural Complexity
                                                                    1. Mushroom-like Structures
                                                                    2. Production of the EPS Matrix
                                                                      1. Increase in Matrix Components
                                                                        1. Establishment of Water Channels
                                                                        2. Formation of Nutrient and Oxygen Gradients
                                                                          1. Cellular Differentiation
                                                                          2. Stage 5: Dispersion
                                                                            1. Triggers for Dispersion
                                                                              1. Environmental Cues
                                                                                1. Nutrient Limitation
                                                                                  1. Accumulation of Waste Products
                                                                                    1. Quorum Sensing Signals
                                                                                    2. Active Dispersal Mechanisms
                                                                                      1. Enzymatic Degradation of the Matrix
                                                                                        1. Motility Structures
                                                                                          1. Programmed Cell Death
                                                                                          2. Passive Dispersal Mechanisms
                                                                                            1. Shear Forces
                                                                                              1. Physical Disruption
                                                                                                1. Erosion
                                                                                                2. Return to Planktonic State

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                                                                                              1. Introduction to Biofilms

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                                                                                              3. Biofilm Architecture and Composition