Biofilm antimicrobial susceptibility through an experimental evolutionary lens

Abstract Experimental evolution experiments in which bacterial populations are repeatedly exposed to an antimicrobial treatment, and examination of the genotype and phenotype of the resulting evolved bacteria, can help shed light on mechanisms behind reduced susceptibility. In this review we present...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Tom Coenye, Mona Bové, Thomas Bjarnsholt
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2022-10-01
Series:npj Biofilms and Microbiomes
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41522-022-00346-4
Description
Summary:Abstract Experimental evolution experiments in which bacterial populations are repeatedly exposed to an antimicrobial treatment, and examination of the genotype and phenotype of the resulting evolved bacteria, can help shed light on mechanisms behind reduced susceptibility. In this review we present an overview of why it is important to include biofilms in experimental evolution, which approaches are available to study experimental evolution in biofilms and what experimental evolution has taught us about tolerance and resistance in biofilms. Finally, we present an emerging consensus view on biofilm antimicrobial susceptibility supported by data obtained during experimental evolution studies.
ISSN:2055-5008