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Biofilm is sticking of cells of any group of microorganism to each other on a surface. Formation of a biofilm begins with the attachment of free-floating microorganisms to a surface. Initially they first colonize and adhere to the surface through weak, reversible adhesion. If the colonists are not immediately separated from the surface, they can anchor themselves more permanently using cell adhesion structures. Biofilm is an integral part of the natural environment and can also serve very beneficial purposes, such as water and wastewater treatment, remediation of contaminated soil and groundwater, microbial leaching, microbial fuel cells, biofilm "traps", microbial "canaries" and so on. However, they do have detrimental impacts on environment, industries and also in public health in the way of producing and consuming atmospheric gases that affect climate; mobilizing toxic elements; eutrophication etc. Hence, it is important to disperse these cells from the biofilm colony.
Dispersal enables biofilms to spread and colonize new surfaces. Enzymes that degrade the biofilm extracellular matrix, such as dispersin B and deoxyribonuclease, may play a role in biofilm dispersal. Biofilm matrix degrading enzymes may be useful as anti-biofilm agents. Recent evidences have shown that several such compounds like fatty acid messenger, cis-2-decenoic acid, secreted by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, nitric oxide etc. have also been found to trigger biofilms dispersal of several bacterial species.
In the present issue, a review on anti-biofilm compounds, especially from Actinobacteria, implants of antimicrobial film and other interesting information on climate change, gut bacteria help to turn animal into fossils are included
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Prof. N. Munuswamy
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World Environmental Health Day (26th September, 2015)
ENVIS Centre Team
Prof.
N. Munuswamy
Co-ordinator
Dr. V. Krishnakumar
Scientist –D
Mr. P. Thirumurugan
Programme Officer
Mr. D. Siva Arun
Programme Asstt.
Mr. R. Ramesh
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Editorial
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Prof. N. Munuswamy
Dr. V. Krishnakumar |
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