Biofilms are surface-associated microbial communities that have distinct biological features compared to microorganisms traditionally grown in liquid cultures in laboratory conditions. Pathogens forming biofilms at infection sites are frequently associated with serious chronic infectious diseases, as well as heightened antimicrobial resistance/tolerance, altered gene expression, and evolutionary intercellular interactions.
We believe it is important to study microorganisms in their most relevant modes of growth to their environmental niche of our interest. In the context of infectious diseases, it is imperative to investigate microbial-surface interactions as well as microbial physiology and gene expression to further our understanding of chronic bacterial infections so that we can find better ways to combat them.
For more information, please visit our laboratory homepage at https://yasuhikoirie.wixsite.com/biofilm.