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Ways to control harmful biofilms: prevention, inhibition, and eradication

Abstract Biofilms are complex microbial architectures that encase microbial cells in a matrix comprising self-produced extracellular polymeric substances. Microorganisms living in biofilms are much more resistant to hostile environments than their planktonic counterparts and exhibit enhanced resistance against the microbicides. From the human perspective, biofilms can be classified into beneficial, neutral, and harmful. Harmful biofilms impact food safety, cause plant and animal diseases, and threaten medical fields, making it urgent to develop effective and robust strategies to control harmful biofilms. In this review, we discuss various strategies to control biofilm formation on infected tissues, implants, and medical devices. We classify the current strategies into three main categories: (i) changing the properties of susceptible surfaces to prevent biofilm formation; (ii) regulating signalling pathways to inhibit biofilm formation; (iii) applying external forces to eradicate the biofilm. We hope this review would motivate the development of innovative and effective strategies for controlling harmful biofilms.