A biologist at Binghamton University, Binghamton, N.Y., reportedly has discovered a molecule that induces the dispersion of biofilms.
David Davies, PhD, an associate professor of biology, says he has found and is in the process of synthesizing a compound that will cause biofilm colonies to disperse, leaving bacteria up to 1,000 times more susceptible to disinfectants, antibiotics and immune functions.
Biofilms are complex aggregations of bacteria marked by the excretion of a protective and adhesive matrix. They develop almost anywhere that water and solids or solids and gases meet, which means they are virtually everywhere. When traveling alone in planktonic form, most bacteria are of small consequence and generally easy to manage. However, when they form biofilms, bacteria seem to gain super powers.
The small molecule Dr. Davies is working with appears to be one of the few known examples in nature of a communication signal that remains effective across species, family and phyla.
"I consider this the Holy Grail of research in biofilms," he said. "It’s a new paradigm in the way we look at how bacteria regulate their behavior."
The dispersion autoinducer Dr. Davies is investigating has been effective in dispersing biofilms containing Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus mutans, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, regardless of whether the bacteria exist in a pure or mixed-culture biofilm.
The dispersion-inducing molecule provokes genetic and physiological changes in the biofilm bacteria, causing them to disperse and return to a planktonic state.
"I think people will start inducing dispersion to disaggregate biofilms and, then, treat them concurrently, and with significantly greater efficacy, with antibiotics," Dr. Davies said.
He envisions the discovery first being marketed as a topical treatment for cuts, lacerations and minor burns. But his major interest is the area of nonhealing wounds.
"If we can treat those kinds of wounds and clear up the infection, they will heal," said Dr. Davies. "We know that from wound débridement studies."
