Journal of Life Sciences Research ISSN : 2408-9184 Vol. 3, No. 1, 8-17, 2016 http://asianonlinejournals.com/index.php/Lifsc/index 8 Biofilm: An Important Bacterial Feature Still to Deal With Juliana Novais 1 Ana Carolina Abreu 2 Helena Carla Castro 3  1,2,3 Programa de Pós Graduação em Ciências e Biotecnologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brazil ( Corresponding Author) Abstract Currently, the bacterial infections are one of the main causes of death worldwide and a public health problem for most governments. In this scenario, virulence factors are of importance, including the capacity of forming biofilm. The ability of producing biofilms is directly involved in bacterial pathogenicity and hugely worse the risk of death due to a bacterial infection. This feature allows the bacteria to colonize different surfaces (e.g. Medical devices), and causes several complications, especially in nosocomial infections. This work reviewed biolfim producing mechanisms, the relation with resistance process and the problems associated to biofilms-affected-medical devices. Keywords: Bacterial infection, Biofilm, Pathogenicity, Resistance, Medical devices, Persisters. Contents 1. Introduction ................................................................................................................................................................................. 9 2. Bacterial Resistance: A Really Big Issue to Take Seriously .................................................................................................... 9 3. Mechanisms of Resistance: Old Aspects of a Difficult Dealing Issue .................................................................................... 10 4. Biofilm and Bacteria ................................................................................................................................................................. 10 5. Bacterial Biofilm Production .................................................................................................................................................... 11 6. Regulation of Biofilm Formation: A Molecular View ............................................................................................................ 12 7. Biofilm and Quorum Sensing ................................................................................................................................................... 12 8. The Effects of Antibiotics and Immune System on Bacterial Biofilms ................................................................................. 12 9. Biofilm and Bacterial Advantages ........................................................................................................................................... 13 References ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 14 Citation | Juliana Novais; Ana Carolina Abreu; Helena Carla Castro (2015). Biofilm: An Important Bacterial Feature Still to Deal With. Journal of Life Sciences Research, 3(1): 8-17. DOI: 10.20448/journal.504/2016.3.1/504.1.8.17 ISSN | 2408-9184 This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License Asian Online Journal Publishing Group