About the Biofilm Test Facility
The importance of the bacterial biofilm mode of growth is becoming increasingly renowned. Especially within infections, biofilms have been found to play a detrimental role. In this respect, the increased tolerance of biofilms has strengthened the belief that a chronic infection equals the biofilm state of growth.
Experimental evidence has accumulated over the years showing that biofilms tolerate antimicrobial properties of the immune system, antiseptics and antibiotics.
As pioneers in medical biofilms we are experiencing increasing attention from medical companies that aim to implement biofilm research into their portfolio. However, it is clear that biofilm research is still in its infancy and most pilot studies and tests of novel antimicrobials do not include the biofilm mode of growth. Thus, antimicrobials may fail to have an effect against biofilm bacteria. This we address with the independent Biofilm Test Facility.
Our research groups at the University (Costerton Biofilm Centre) and at the Copenhagen University Hospital (Rigshospitalet) employs more than 20 researchers investigating medical biofilms. We have contributed significantly to the understanding of bacterial biofilms and the involvement in chronic infections. Our research in the topic has led to the development and refinement of techniques and reagents widely recognized in the biofilm research community to be the state of the art.