Dear Colleagues,

Our vision of biofilms evolved in parallel with our knowledge of their complexity. Bacterial biofilms have been the topic of more studies, but yeasts, fungi, and archaea also develop as biofilms, and cutaneous or environmental biofilms include a large diversity of microorganisms. In biofilms, microorganisms undergo local adaptations, as observed for bacterial persisters. The 3D structure of biofilms and their organization remain an important question, particularly in mixed populations. The exact composition of the biofilm matrix is poorly known, as it is particularly difficult to separate it from the outer surface of the microorganisms and the microenvironment. As was recently shown, the dynamics of the biofilms depends on communication between microorganisms, but also on the perception of environmental and host factors. Compounds involved in this process include classical soluble molecules as well as volatile substances and even vesicles. Even the existence of nanowire-dependent electrical communication remains a topic of discussion in environmental biofilms. We can also interrogate the role of phages and other viruses in the context of biofilms. As such, studying biofilms remains a topical challenge, requiring the mobilization of transdisciplinary knowledge and techniques.

The aim of this Special Issue is to provide an up-to-date multidisciplinary platform for the interchange of information on these fascinating organizations that we designate as biofilms, particularly in the context of skin and environment.

As Guest Editor of this Special Issue, I invite you to submit research articles, review articles, and short communications related to the structure, composition, and dynamics of cutaneous and environmental biofilms.

Prof. Dr. Marc G.J. Feuilloley
Guest Editor

• complex biofilms
• biofilm structure
• biofilm matrix
• biofilm dynamics
• microbial communication