The interaction of phage and biofilms

Sutherland, Ian W.; Hughes, Kevin A. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2701-726X; Skillman, Lucy C.; Tait, Karen. 2004 The interaction of phage and biofilms. FEMS Microbiology Letters, 232 (1). 1-6. 10.1016/S0378-1097(04)00041-2

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Abstract/Summary

Biofilms present complex assemblies of micro-organisms attached to surfaces. They are dynamic structures in which various metabolic activities and interactions between the component cells occur. When phage come in contact with biofilms, further interactions occur dependent on the susceptibility of the biofilm bacteria to phage and to the availability of receptor sites. If the phage also possess polysaccharide-degrading enzymes, or if considerable cell lysis is effected by the phage, the integrity of the biofilm may rapidly be destroyed. Alternatively, coexistence between phage and host bacteria within the biofilm may develop. Although phage have been proposed as a means of destroying or controlling biofilms, the technology for this has not yet been successfully developed.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	10.1016/S0378-1097(04)00041-2
Programmes:	BAS Programmes > Antarctic Science in the Global Context (2000-2005) > Life at the Edge - Stresses and Thresholds
ISSN:	0378-1097
Additional Keywords:	biofilm, exopolysaccharide, lysis, phage; polysaccharase, virus
NORA Subject Terms:	Biology and Microbiology
Date made live:	15 Mar 2012 09:32 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/12462

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