Community Structure and Co-operation in Biofilms

Hardback  368 pp, 33 diags, 24 illus, 9 col plates  ISBN 0521793025      £75.00

The study of biofilm considers the close association of micro-organisms with each other at interfaces and the consequent physiological adaptation to the proximity of other cells and surfaces. As such it is relevant to a variety of disciplines, including medicine, dentistry, bioremediation, biofouling, water technology, engineering and food science. Although the habitats studied, and their associated cellular communities, differ widely, some common elements exist such as method of attachment, coadhesion, regulation of biofilm phenotype and biofilm architecture. This book aims to distil the common principles of biofilm physiology and growth for all interested disciplines. It will appeal to the specialist biofilm researcher as well as to students wishing to introduce themselves to the topic.

Contents

List of contributors; Preface; 1. An overview of biofilms as functional communities J. Wimpenny; 2. Initial microbial adhesion events: mechanisms and implications H. J. Busscher and H. C. van der Mei; 3. Physiological events in biofilm formation D. G. Davies; 4. Environmental and genetic factors influencing biofilm structure P. Stoodley, L. Hall-Stoodley, J. D. Boyle, F. Jorgensen and H. M. Lappin-Scott; 5. Coaggregation and coadhesion in oral biofilms P. E. Kolenbrander, R. N. Andersen, K. M. Kazmerzak and R. J. Palmer, Jr; 6. Cohesiveness in biofilm matrix polymers H.-C. Flemming, J. Wingender, C. Mayer, V. Körstgens and W. Borchard; 7. Microbial detachment from biofilms G. F. Moore, B. C. Dunsmore, S. M. Jones, C. W. Smejkal, J. Jass, P. Stoodley and H. M. Lappin-Scott; 8. Modelling and predicting biofilm structure C. Picioreanu, M. C. M. van Loosdrecht and J. J. Heijnen; 9. Microbial community interactions in biofilms P. D. Marsh and G. H. W. Bowden; 10. Microbial communities: aggregates of individuals or co-ordinated systems S. Molin, J. A. J. Haagensen, K. B. Barken and C. Sternberg; 11. Gene transfer in biofilms L. J. Ehlers; 12. Population dynamics in microbial biofilms A. J. McBain, D. G. Allison and P. Gilbert; 13. Biodegradation by biofilm communities G. M. Wolfaardt, D. R. Korber, S. Karthikeyan and D. E. Caldwell; 14. Biofilms and prosthetic devices R. Bayston; 15. Biofilms: problems of control D. G. Allison, A. J. McBain and P. Gilbert; 16. Biofilms in the New Millennium: musings from a peak in Xanadu J. W. Costerton; Index.