Dear Colleagues,

Microorganisms are ubiquitous in nature, forming complex social communities called biofilms in every conceivable ecological niche. Biofilms can coat any inert or cellular surface, with significant deleterious effects, such as biofouling in industrial and drinking water systems, biocorrosion and biodeterioration adversely affecting production and cultural heritage, and medical device-associated infections. Medical biofilms are protected from the action of antimicrobial agents by different mechanisms, often acting additively or even synergistically, including the protective role of the extracellular matrix; the complex architecture and spatial organization, leading to differentiation of biofilm cells layers, with different physiology and resistant phenotypes; adaptation to starvation conditions by entering in metabolic latency; and selection of persisters’ population. Moreover, in a biofilm state, due to the high density and proximity of microbial cells, the horizontal gene transfer (HGT) can easily occur, facilitating the resistance genes’ spread. The presence of sub-inhibitory concentrations of antimicrobials could increase mutation, recombination, and HGT rates. In multispecies biofilms, the antibiotic-resistant commensal microorganisms could protect antibiotic-susceptible pathogens from eradication. Detachment of microorganisms from biofilms may lead to the dissemination of infection in the human host. Thus, once formed, microbial biofilms are difficult or even impossible to eradicate, justifying the efforts made to develop materials or coatings with bacterial adherence and surface colonization-repellent properties. The purpose of this Special Issue is to address the current progress and challenges for developing reliable antimicrobial and antibiofilm coatings for biomedical, industrial, and ecological applications.

Prof. Dr. Mariana Carmen Chifiriuc
Guest Editor

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• Synthesis and characterization methodologies for antimicrobial/antibiofilm coatings
• Antifouling coatings
• Antibiofilm coatings for medical devices
• Antibiofilm coatings for the preservation/restauration/conservation of historical heritage buildings and objects
• In vitro and in vivo biofilm models for assessing coatings’ antimicrobial/antibiofilm efficiency
• Biocompatibility and safety assessment