Bacterial and fungal cell membrane and biofilm matrix

Bacterial and fungal cell membranes are primarily phospholipid bilayers, often surrounded by complex cell walls (peptidoglycan in bacteria, chitin and β-glucans in fungi) that provide structural integrity, shape, and protection. In many environments—especially during chronic infection—bacteria and fungi can form biofilms, which are communities of cells embedded in a self-produced biofilm matrix. This matrix is mainly composed of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), including polysaccharides, proteins, lipids, and extracellular DNA. The biofilm matrix protects microbes from environmental hazards, including antibiotics, and is a major contributor to persistent infections and drug resistance. Major matrix components include β-1,3 glucan and mannan in fungi, and curli, cellulose, and sometimes flagella in bacterial biofilms. The drug resistance attributed to biofilms is a consequence of both the physical barrier of the matrix and altered microenvironmental conditions within biofilms. Disrupting these structures is a key strategy for treating chronic and device-associated infections.

Other names

microbial cell membranemicrobial biofilm matrixextracellular polymeric substance (EPS)microbial cell envelopefungal cell wallbacterial cell wallbacterial extracellular matrixbiofilm EPS

Disruption of cell membrane integrity; Inhibition of cell wall synthesis; Interference with extracellular matrix and biofilm formation; Promotion of matrix degradation/dispersal