The use of biological agents to control biofilms

Daniel Kadouri, UMDNJ


Most bacteria found in natural medical and industrial settings persist in complex microbial communities 
attached to surfaces known as biofilms. One of the major difficulties in controlling biofilms is their 
enhanced resistance to antimicrobial agents - biofilms can be up to 1000 times more resistant to 
antimicrobial agents than their planktonic counterparts. Recently, there has been a renewed interest in 
the use of biological control agents against biofilms. Among these agents is the use of invertebrates, 
protozoa and bacteriophages. In our lab we are using bacteria from the genus Bdellovibrio spp. and 
Micavibrio spp. in order to reduce and control surface attached bacteria. In addition to the antimicrobial 
application of those predators, we are also focusing our research on the biology of these unique 
organisms, specifically we are interested in the mechanisms involved in predation and predator prey 
interaction. The long-term goal of our study is to harness the therapeutic potential of these predators to 
control pathogenic bacteria and biofilms both in medical and industrial settings.