Biofilms are a survival mechanism preferred for many microorganisms as they are communities of microbes that stick together to a surface by forming a slime-like substance. This slime protects from different threats such as UV light, antibiotics, and dehydration.

There is almost no environment on Earth where we cannot find biofilms. They can be useful in many fields from medicine to industrial manufacturing to food industries and can be both problematic and beneficial; for example, they can cause chronic infections that resist antibiotic treatment; but they can also help to fix nitrogen for plants. So, it’s in our best interest to understand how to manage, engineer, and prevent them.

The University of Edinburgh in partnership with the National Biofilms Innovation Centre conducts important research around biofilms across several Schools, Institutes and Research centers. This research spans across a wide range of topics and areas such as bioengineering, biofilm formation, inflammation research, infection control, hygiene or wastewater treatment, from studying the microbial system known as Bacillus subtilis and understanding how we go from single cell systems to multicellular systems to collaborative research on how to eradicate them or prevent bacterial infections. 

To learn more about the University of Edinburgh’s research, outreach and public engagement or the variety of collaborations please refer to the appropriate tabs.

Resources and Activities surrounding biofilms