Biofilm Formation
The process by which microorganisms attach to surfaces and secrete extracellular matrix to form structured communities resistant to antibiotics and immune defenses.
Used in the Books
This term appears in 2 chapters:
"...d): Produce toxins en masse, overwhelm immune system, establish infection - The bacteria wait until they have strength in numbers before attacking Biofilm formation: - Many bacteria form biofilms (sticky matrices that protect colony) - Biofilms form only when quorum sensing indicates high density - Low density:..."
"...uorum sensing to time collective action for maximum effectiveness. The population behaves as a coordinated army rather than isolated guerrillas. Biofilm Formation: Building Cities with Quorum Sensing Biofilms - structured microbial communities encased in self-produced extracellular matrix - are the dominant mo..."
Biological Context
Biofilms are everywhere: dental plaque, slime on rocks, infections on medical devices. Bacteria in biofilms behave differently than free-floating cells, communicating through quorum sensing and sharing resources. Biofilms are 100-1000x more antibiotic resistant.
Business Application
Organizational biofilms: entrenched groups resistant to change. Understanding biofilm dynamics helps break up resistant organizational structures or build protective ones.