TY - JOUR
T1 - Big Impact of the Tiny
T2 - Bacteriophage–Bacteria Interactions in Biofilms
AU - Hansen, Mads Frederik
AU - Svenningsen, Sine Lo
AU - Røder, Henriette Lyng
AU - Middelboe, Mathias
AU - Burmølle, Mette
PY - 2019
Y1 - 2019
N2 - Bacteriophages (phages) have been shaping bacterial ecology and evolution for millions of years, for example, by selecting for defence strategies. Evidence supports that bacterial biofilm formation is one such strategy and that biofilm-mediated protection against phage infection depends on maturation and composition of the extracellular matrix. Interestingly, studies have revealed that phages can induce and strengthen biofilms. Here we review interactions between bacteria and phages in biofilms, discuss the underlying mechanisms, the potential of phage therapy for biofilm control, and emphasize the importance of considering biofilms in future phage research. This is especially relevant as biofilms are associated with increased tolerance towards antibiotics and are implicated in the majority of chronic infections.
AB - Bacteriophages (phages) have been shaping bacterial ecology and evolution for millions of years, for example, by selecting for defence strategies. Evidence supports that bacterial biofilm formation is one such strategy and that biofilm-mediated protection against phage infection depends on maturation and composition of the extracellular matrix. Interestingly, studies have revealed that phages can induce and strengthen biofilms. Here we review interactions between bacteria and phages in biofilms, discuss the underlying mechanisms, the potential of phage therapy for biofilm control, and emphasize the importance of considering biofilms in future phage research. This is especially relevant as biofilms are associated with increased tolerance towards antibiotics and are implicated in the majority of chronic infections.
KW - bacteriophage–bacteria interactions
KW - biofilms
KW - evolution
KW - extracellular matrix
KW - phage therapy
KW - quorum sensing
U2 - 10.1016/j.tim.2019.04.006
DO - 10.1016/j.tim.2019.04.006
M3 - Review
C2 - 31128928
AN - SCOPUS:85065885980
VL - 27
SP - 739
EP - 752
JO - Trends in Microbiology
JF - Trends in Microbiology
SN - 0966-842X
IS - 9
ER -