Preface for special issue on biofilm and c-di-GMP——Microbial society, c-di-GMP regulation, and new research techniques

Abstract:

Biofilm is the dominant lifestyle of microbes in various ecological niches. A group of microorganisms form biofilms through sticking each other by extracellular polymeric substances consisting of polysaccharides, extracellular DNA, and proteins. When living in biofilms, the microbial cells employ small chemicals as “language” to communicate mutually, and exhibit remarkable differences in physiology compared to those live as planktonic state. It has been proved that the development of biofilm is subject to the regulation of c-di-GMP, an important second messenger found in prokaryotes. Considering the essential roles of biofilms in microbial infection, industry, plant-microbe interactions and administration of polluted environments, it is one of the state-of-art areas in microbiology. This special issue of “Biofilm and c-di-GMP” systematically reviews the current progress in the multiple research frontiers, including biotechnology, infectious diseases, environmental microbiology and plant pathology, with special reference to the application of novel study skills. We hope that the issue will inspire the new-generation of young scientists to enter this exciting area.

Key words:Biofilm, c-di-GMP, regulatory mechanism, new technology