Biofilms research in Australia

Australia has a substantial history of biofilm research that started from the late 1980s. Examples of high-impact early studies published by Australian scientists included that by Hugenholtz and Fuerst (1992)¹ and Sly et al. (1990)² and on environmental biofilms, and Deighton et al. (1988, 1992)^3,4 and Deighton and Balkau (1990)⁵ on medically important biofilms.

In the early days, the modified Robbins devices were often used for environmental biofilms, in combination with conventional microbiological methods such as viable count enumeration and scanning electron microscopy.^1,2 By contrast, Deighton et al. (2001)⁶ optimised the 96-well microtiter plate assay originally developed by Christensen et al. (1985)⁷ and the Congo Red biofilm assay so the ‘slime’ production by Staphylococcus species and other Gram-positive bacteria could be quantitated in microbiology diagnostic laboratories.

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, concerted efforts were made by Australian researchers to identify the molecular factors underpinning the formation of microbial biofilms. Pioneering work by Whitchurch et al. at The University of Queensland revealed for the first time the fundamental role of extracellular DNA in biofilm formation by Pseudomonas aeruginosa.⁸ This work was published in Science in 2002 and has since served as a beacon for many biofilm researchers when navigating their research directions.

In the late 2000s, interdisciplinary collaboration emerged as a more effective pathway to address recalcitrant biofilm issues. Chemical engineers and microbiologists in Australia were brought together, aiming to develop more effective anti-infective surfaces and more potent antimicrobial drugs for biofilm-related medical and environmental issues. Taking advantage of our strong capability in bioengineering and microbiology, biofilm control programs utilising chemical and surface engineering technologies have been established in many Australian universities and other research organisations.

In addition to laboratory-based biofilm research, such as that dealing with quorum sensing, extracellular polymer substance (EPS) matrix production, antimicrobial resistance and underlying molecular mechanisms, translation of biofilm research for clinical purposes has been a long-lasting and strong interest of Australian clinicians and scientists. Large trials to systematically assess the efficacy of anti-biofilm strategies in clinical settings were successfully carried out in the HONEYPOT trial at Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, in 2014, and in the Ethanol lock trial at the Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, in 2018, both published in Lancet Infectious Diseases.^9,10 Other successful examples of translational biofilm research include that for contact lenses-associated infections (School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, UNSW), periodontal diseases and dental caries (Melbourne Dental School, The University of Melbourne) and biofilm-related ventricular assist device driveline infections (The Alfred Hospital and Monash University).

The first ‘Biofilms in Australia’ meeting was held on 21 October 2022. Scientists, clinicians and engineers from 14 Australian research organisations shared their cutting-edge biofilm research, focussing on three themes, including biofilm-associated chronic infections, microorganism-biomaterial interactions, and molecular biology of microbial biofilms. The ultimate goal of the meeting was to combine the expertise of a multidisciplinary team to advance our understanding of microbial biofilms and to develop more effective mitigation strategies for biofilm-related issues.

A multilateral conversation to strengthen future biofilm research collaboration is underway. The Australian biofilm community encourages collaboration not only within Australia, but with international communities, such as that from other Asia-Pacific regions, EuroBiofilms and American Society of Microbiology Biofilm Group. This issue of Microbiology Australia includes contributions from selected presenters at the Biofilms in Australia meeting and showcases their contributions, as well as ideas for the future.

Conflicts of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.