Genetics of Biofilms

Commensal and pathogenic bacteria such as Escherichia coli produce various surface structures promoting their interaction with living or inert surfaces. We study the structure and regulation of E. coli adhesins and extracellular matrix polysaccharides contributing to biofilm […]

  Specific metabolic changes occurring during biofilm formation were hypothesized to lead to the production of biofilm-associated molecules and biofilm-specific functions. The  identification of biofilm-specific metabolites could reveal new aspects of biofilm biology, and lead to novel strategies […]

Although  many clinically and ecologically relevant processes are known to be  performed by biofilm communities composed of strict or facultative anaerobic bacteria, biofilms were often studied in  aerobic conditions.  We use in vitro anaerobic culture systems […]

   Bacteria produce and release into their headspace a wide variety of volatile secondary metabolites. However, While detection and quantification of these volatiles as attractive or repellent odors and aromas are of great interest in food and cosmetic […]

Although competitive interactions between bacteria (bacterial interference), are likely to represent a key aspect of many infectious processes, the nature of these interactions within mixed biofilm communities is poorly understood. We use in vitro biofilm models […]

  We use in vitro and in vivo models of polymicrobial communities in order to better understand the molecular events underlying colonization resistance and pathogen exclusion by commensal bacteria   Articles on this topic David Pérez-Pascual, Sol Vendrell-Fernandez, […]

 Biofilm formation on medical devices is associated with hospital-acquired (nosocomial) infections. Due to biofilms’ high tolerance to antibiotics, classical treatments lack efficacy, and removal of the biofilm-contaminated device is often the only therapeutic option. […]

 One of the  of the hallmarks of biofilm physiology is its tolerance to a high level of antimicrobials. We are currently investigating the molecular mechanisms that lead to this transient ability to withstand antimicrobial treatments. […]

Biofilm formation relies as much on bacterial adhesion properties than on surface chemistry, and many questions remain regarding biophysics of surface adhesion. In collaboration with physico-chemists and biophysicists, we used multidisciplinary approaches to investigate bacterial […]

Alterations of the gut microbiota are associated with numerous diseases, of which many involve impaired immune tolerance, such as allergies. However, the role of specific microorganisms and underlying molecular mechanisms remain poorly characterised. Archaeal […]

We originally developed genetic tools to study adhesion and biofilm formation in commensal and pathogenic E. coli species. These tools are made freely available to the scientific community upon request. • pKOBEG Lambda Red […]

We developed a clinically relevant in vivo model of catheter-associated biofilm infections to design new and efficient biofilm-eradication approaches applicable to contaminated totally implantable venous access port (TIVAP) catheters.      Key publications •  Chauhan, A., J.M. […]

We designed a continuous-flow culture system in which biofilm formation can be reproducibly monitored and controlled in microfermentors handled at flow-rates avoiding accumulation of planktonic bacteria. This model is suited for biofilm macroscopic analysis, […]