ABSTRACT
Bacteria exist in two basic states, planktonic or sessile cells. It is believed that planktonic cells are important for rapid proliferation and spread into new territories, whereas sessile or slow-growing populations are focused on perseverance. Studies have revealed that the adherent bacteria, growing in consortia known as biofilms, are present in virtually all natural and pathogenic ecosystems (1,2). These biofilms are defined as structured communities of microbial species embedded in a biopolymer matrix on either biotic or abiotic substrata.
