Microbial biofilms, communities of adherent microorganisms embedded in a matrix of polymeric substances, are a significant medical challenge, as the embedded microbes are up to 1000 times more resistant to disinfectants and antimicrobial agents. Approximately 65-80 per cent of all chronic human bacterial infections are biofilm related with ~65 per cent of all hospital acquired infections resulting from biofilm formation on indwelling medical devices. Fungal species also pose a significant problem as there are currently limited treatment options for various fungal biofilm infections with current mortality rates which are >50 per cent.
Our aim is to understand the molecular basis of biofilm formation to develop therapeutics that inhibit or disrupt microbial biofilms.