Biofilm-mediated antibiotic tolerance in bacterial pathogens: Integrated molecular networks and novel therapeutic avenues.

Biofilms enable bacteria to resist antibiotics through complex molecular networks, with over 70% of persistent infections linked to biofilm formation.

• Why it matters: Biofilm-associated infections are difficult to treat due to their protective structures and adaptive mechanisms, creating a critical need for innovative therapies to combat antibiotic resistance.
• What they did: The study reviews the multi-stage biofilm formation, mechanisms of tolerance, and the regulatory roles of molecular networks like quorum sensing and c-di-GMP, involving over 100 bacterial species.
• The result: Emerging strategies such as enzymes, phages, nanomaterials, and gene editing show promise in disrupting biofilm integrity and signaling, paving the way for improved infection control.