A biofilm is a layer of microorganisms in which cells stick to each other on a surface. These cells excrete a slime that helps them to stay together. Biofilms can form on living or non-living surfaces.
Biofilms are found in almost every environment, including fresh water, sewage, soil and the air. They play an important role in the food industry, where they are used to produce cheese and yogurt, as well as in biotechnology for the production of enzymes and antibiotics.
One of the most studied biofilms is that of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which is often found in hospitals. This bacterium can cause serious infections in people with weakened immune systems. The ability of P. aeruginosa to form a biofilm makes it difficult to treat these infections with antibiotics.
The study of biofilms is important not only for understanding how these microorganisms interact with each other and their environment, but also for developing new ways to control them.