This article reviews the physical and chemical constraints of environments on biofilm formation. We provide a perspective on how materials science and engineering can address fundamental questions and unmet technological challenges in this area of microbiology, such as biofilm prevention. Specifically, we discuss three factors that impact the development and organization of bacterial communities. (1) Physical properties of surfaces regulate cell attachment and physiology and affect early stages of biofilm formation. (2) Chemical properties influence the adhesion of cells to surfaces and their development into biofilms and communities. (3) Chemical communication between cells attenuates growth and influences the organization of communities. Mechanisms of spatial and temporal confinement control the dimensions of communities and the diffusion path length for chemical communication between biofilms, which, in turn, influences biofilm phenotypes. Armed with a detailed understanding of biofilm formation, researchers are applying the tools and techniques of materials science and engineering to revolutionize the study and control of bacterial communities growing at interfaces.

中文翻译：

---

生物膜形成的物理化学调节。


本文回顾了环境对生物膜形成的物理和化学限制。我们提供了关于材料科学和工程如何解决微生物学领域的基本问题和未解决的技术挑战（例如生物膜预防）的观点。具体来说，我们讨论了影响细菌群落发展和组织的三个因素。 (1) 表面的物理特性调节细胞附着和生理机能并影响生物膜形成的早期阶段。 (2) 化学性质影响细胞对表面的粘附及其向生物膜和群落的发育。 (3) 细胞之间的化学通讯会减弱生长并影响群落的组织。空间和时间限制机制控制群落的尺寸和生物膜之间化学通讯的扩散路径长度，这反过来又影响生物膜表型。凭借对生物膜形成的详细了解，研究人员正在应用材料科学和工程的工具和技术来彻底改变界面生长的细菌群落的研究和控制。