Table 1 Potential strategies to reduce or eliminate bacterial biofilms
From: Biomaterials Approaches to Combating Oral Biofilms and Dental Disease
Process contributing to Net Biofilm Accumulation | Potential Interventions |
Substratum pre-conditioning | Change surface chemistry; non-fouling surfaces vs. signal decorated surfaces |
Cell Deposition | Maintain sterility |
Reversible adhesion Irreversible adhesion Desorption | Change surface chemistry or surface topography. Tethered or released toxic agent(s). Base material degradable. External toxic challenge. Specific adhesin blockers |
Cell Signaling | Signal analogs; receptor blocking. |
Cell Metabolism | Antibiotic challenge; starvation, chelator challenge; bacteriophage infection, bacteriophage lytic enzymes, device surgical removal |
Biofilm Removal | Antibiotic challenge; starvation, chelator challenge; bacteriophage infection, bacteriophage lytic enzymes, device surgical removal |