In the production of biofilms by bacteria, there is a continuous aggregation of cells due to complex mechanisms involving inter and intra cellular signalling leading to the creation of the pellicle layer by the proteins and polysaccharides of the external membranes of the cells. These biofilms composed of a rich variety of gram negative and gram-positive bacteria. With the propensity to cause harm and infection, numerous literature have termedbiofilms difficult to control. Hence, biofilms contribute to the global burden of antimicrobial resistance. In this review article, we discuss the current trend in biofilm studies and the methods involved in combating the growth and spread of bacterial biofilms. We discuss contact killing, inhibition of quorum sensing, alterations to the membranes of host cells and peptidoglycan cleavage, inhibition of cell division and dispersion and other methods of evading host defence systems. We discuss control methods like plant extracts and essential oils, non-antibiotic strategies like Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (APDT), cold atmospheric plasma (CAP), biofomics and other novel, molecular strategies. In conclusion various techniques have been developed to study biofilms and biofilm-embedded microorganisms and their control, with future perspective of the need for continued research to develop more effective and cost-effective methods to prevent and treat biofilm-related infections including nanoparticles.
