Game Theoretic Analysis

ISBN-13: 9783844300338 / Angielski / Miękka / 2011 / 68 str.

Christopher Allen

Opis

Biofilms have always been known for resistance to antibiotic treatment. There are many reasons for this ability to survive. Some bacteria, once they infect a host, elect to take on a planktonic, or nomadic, lifestyle in order to maximize nutrient availability. Others, however, elect to congregate with other microorganisms, settling in one area and creating a single sessile organism in order to provide mutual protection for the entire colony. In fact, the act of collecting many different bacteria into a single organism makes the entire colony about "500 times more resistant to antibacterial agents" (Costerton, et al.) than a single planktonic bacterium that simply settles on a surface. The main reason that biofilm is so much more resistant to antibiotic treatment than its planktonic counterpart is that biofilm microorganisms tend to specialize in each others functions, allowing for reduced antibiotic penetration, the expression of biofilm-specific genes, and the specialization of certain cells into a more dormant form of existence called persister cells (Lewis).

O autorze

Christopher Allen earned a Bachelor of Science degree with honors in Biomedical Mathematics, graduating cum laude from Florida State University in May 2009 upon completion of his research. He is now a student at Saba University School of Medicine pursuing his degree as a medical doctor as well as a master s degree in Hyperbaric Medicine.