Biofilm Microenvironments: Modeling Approach

Abstract

Biofilms are resilient and complex microbial communities or populations encased in a self-producing extracellular matrix existing in nature, which account for their robustness against a wide variety of stresses. In nature, multispecies biofilms have been found to occur frequently, whereas monospecies biofilms have been rare and found only when developed. By understanding the sociobiology of biofilm bacteria and harnessing the knowledge based on known biochemical and physical parameters, the underlying complexity of biofilm microenvironment could be better predicted by state-of-the-art advanced modeling approaches. In the present review, in-depth advanced modeling approaches based on the action of substrates on developmental biofilm physiology have been discussed. Equations for forces and adherence, quorum sensing, fluid flow dynamics, the social arrangement of community members in their favorable places, stratification, and pattern formation inside the biofilm have been elaborated. Equations to predict biofilm dispersal stages have been also discussed. Different models which uncover microbial biofilm life cycle stages to predict their complexity and recommended future variables like “omics” for magnification have been reported. This chapter will help to provide additional platform related to the genetic complex networking of biofilm bacteria for conceptual underpinnings of biofilm microenvironment.