MGY377H1 Study Guide - Final Guide: Borrelia, Fibroblast, Starry Sky
26 Oct 2013
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Document Summary
A common theme of biofilm research involves study of antimicrobial resistance. Biofilms can survive exposure to high levels of antimicrobials that kill planktonic cells of the same strain: antibiotics (biofilms up to 1000x more resistant to some antibiotics!, disinfectants e. g. chlorination. Dispersed biofilm cells are sensitive; it is not caused by a selection of mutants phenomenon. Biofilm resistance to antibiotic chemotherapy not the same as conventional antibiotic resistance: often referred to as antimicrobial. Antibiotic resistance involves genetically encoded factors that prevent killing by antibiotics: mechanisms will work for planktonic or biofilm bacteria. Tolerance involves resistance only in biofilms: does not work for planktonic bacteria, many mechanisms contribute to tolerance. Antibiotic resistance genesconfer resistance for planktonicand biofilm growing bacteria . But bacteria that lack these genes are still tolerant of antibiotics,(less susceptible to their effects) when present in biofilms. First theory was diffusion limitation; based on the old grapes in jello biofilm view.
