Biofilms affect the lives of all of us, growing as they do for example on our teeth (as plaque), on catheters and medical implants in our bodies, on our boats and ships, in food processing environments, and in drinking and industrial water treatment systems. They are highly complex biological communities whose detailed structure and functioning is only gradually being unravelled, with the development of increasingly sophisticated technology for their study. Biofilms almost always have a negative impact on human affairs (flocs in sewage treatment plants are a major exception) and a lot of research is being carried out to gain a better understanding of them, so that we will be in a better position to control them.
This volume, with contributions by international experts from widely diverse areas of this field, presents a state-of-the-art picture of where we are at present in terms of our knowledge of biofilms, the techniques being used to study them, and possible strategies for controlling their growth more successfully. It should provide a valuable reference source for information on biofilms and their control for many years to come.

Including contributions from international experts from widely diverse areas of the field, this book presents a state-of-the-art picture of the knowledge of biofilms, the techniques being used to study them, and possible strategies for controlling their growth more successfully. The twenty-four chapters discuss issues such as microscopy methods for studying biofilms, gene expression of cells attached to surfaces, animal models for the study of bacterial biofilms, biofilms in the oral cavity, food industry biofilms, environmentally acceptable control of biofilms in the pulp and paper industry, biofilms without a substratum, and more.