Phage–antibiotic synergy restores β-lactam efficacy in MDR Klebsiella quasipneumoniae biofilms and suppresses resistance - Journal of Biomedical Science Background Biofilms formed by multidrug-resistant (MDR) Klebsiella spp. present a significant clinical challenge due to elevated antibiotic tolerance. Bacteriophages (phages) represent a promising alternative, particularly in combination with antibiotics, where phage–antibiotic synergy (PAS) can increase antibiofilm activity. Evaluating treatment efficacy in these complex structures requires real-time, noninvasive viability analysis. Methods To address this, we used light-sheet fluorescence microscopy (LSFM), a high-resolution, minimally invasive approach, for dynamic tracking of PAS in intact biofilms. To our knowledge, this is the first in vitro application of LSFM for investigating PAS. We studied the combined activity of a virulent phage (vB_KpUKJ_2) and ceftazidime (CAZ) against an extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Klebsiella quasipneumoniae. Results In planktonic cultures, PAS was strongly affected in a dose-dependent manner. In mature biofilms, LSFM imaging revealed that high-dose phages (10⁸ PFU/mL) combined with CAZ at a 0.25 × minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) induced a rapid and sustained reduction in viability over 24 h. This regimen significantly outperformed mono-treatments (p < 0.01), demonstrating that phage coadministration can reduce the required antibiotic dose. Mechanistically, treatment resulted in phage-mediated degradation of α- and β-polysaccharides within the extracellular polymeric substance (EPS). Crucially, while phage mono-treatment led to the emergence of resistant mutants, the combination treatment fully suppressed resistance. Whole-genome sequencing revealed mutations in genes such as fhuA, purA, and rpoC, suggesting diverse resistance mechanisms linked to fitness trade-offs such as impaired biofilm formation. Conclusions Our findings highlight a precision-guided strategy with translational potential for device-associated infections, providing a mechanistic and methodological foundation for optimizing PAS-based therapies.

Phage–antibiotic synergy restores β-lactam activity against MDR Klebsiella #biofilms and limits resistance emergence, highlighting a promising strategy to combat antimicrobial resistance.🦠💊#AMR #Microbiology
📄https://doi.org/10.1186/s12929-026-01218-1
👤EVBC: Mike Marquet, Ralf Ehricht, Mathias Pletz

Sergio Scotillo is currently at the Univ. of Naples Federico II, working at Marco Moracci’s lab on archaeal biofilms. Along with Cristina De Castro's lab, the team studies exopolysaccharide structures using advanced techniques (GC-MS, NMR)

#MSCA #Archaea #Biotechnology #Extremophiles #biofilms

λcI857 lytic infections and host lysogenization following induction of lysogens embedded within Escherichia coli biofilms with either WT curli production (curli+) or no curli production (curli−). Host biofilms were inoculated with λcI857 lysogens and uninfected host cells at a 1:10 ratio and cultured for 72 h prior to λcI857 phage induction. The image shows a time series of biofilms inoculated with lysogens and uninfected E. coli hosts that either produce (top row) or do not produce (bottom row) curli extracellular matrix. The first image in each row was taken just after heat was applied to induce some biofilm-embedded lysogens to switch to the lytic infection cycle.

How do #bacteriophage life history strategies influence host invasion & inter- #phage competition in #biofilms? This study shows that spatial structure shapes invasion success, favoring temperate phages over lytic ones when diffusion is limited @plosbiology.org 🧪 plos.io/47Aripq

λcI857 lytic infections and host lysogenization following induction of lysogens embedded within Escherichia coli biofilms with either WT curli production (curli+) or no curli production (curli−). Host biofilms were inoculated with λcI857 lysogens and uninfected host cells at a 1:10 ratio and cultured for 72 h prior to λcI857 phage induction. The image shows a time series of biofilms inoculated with lysogens and uninfected E. coli hosts that either produce (top row) or do not produce (bottom row) curli extracellular matrix. The first image in each row was taken just after heat was applied to induce some biofilm-embedded lysogens to switch to the lytic infection cycle.

How do #bacteriophage life history strategies influence host invasion & inter- #phage competition in #biofilms? This study shows that spatial structure shapes invasion success, favoring temperate phages over lytic ones when diffusion is limited @plosbiology.org 🧪 plos.io/47Aripq

λcI857 lytic infections and host lysogenization following induction of lysogens embedded within Escherichia coli biofilms with either WT curli production (curli+) or no curli production (curli−). Host biofilms were inoculated with λcI857 lysogens and uninfected host cells at a 1:10 ratio and cultured for 72 h prior to λcI857 phage induction. The image shows a time series of biofilms inoculated with lysogens and uninfected E. coli hosts that either produce (top row) or do not produce (bottom row) curli extracellular matrix. The first image in each row was taken just after heat was applied to induce some biofilm-embedded lysogens to switch to the lytic infection cycle.

How do #bacteriophage life history strategies influence host invasion & inter- #phage competition in #biofilms? This study shows that spatial structure shapes invasion success, favoring temperate phages over lytic ones when diffusion is limited @plosbiology.org 🧪 plos.io/47Aripq

In this study, we analysed over 1,600 #biofilms from 700 sites across England's rivers, combining 16S rRNA gene #sequencing with high resolution water chemistry 🧬 💧

Loss of Fsr quorum sensing promotes biofilm formation and worsens outcomes in enterococcal infective endocarditis - Nature Communications Infective endocarditis (IE) is an understudied biofilm-associated infection. Here, analyses of preclinical and clinical data reveal that the Fsr quorum sensing (QS) system of Enterococcus faecalis is a negative regulator of IE pathogenesis.

#Microbiology

Loss of Fsr quorum sensing *promotes* biofilm formation and worsens outcomes in enterococcal infective endocarditis

@kimingeneva.bsky.social @harisantypas.bsky.social @scelse.bsky.social

#biofilms #bacteria

🚀 Our NBIC Flexible #Talent Mobility Account #funding supports secondments and activities that contribute to the development of researchers and technical staff in industry and academia.

💡Find out more and apply ➡️ tinyurl.com/ypc7n938

#biofilms #biofilm #FTMA #microsky @ukri.org

Loss of Fsr quorum sensing promotes biofilm formation and worsens outcomes in enterococcal infective endocarditis - Nature Communications Infective endocarditis (IE) is an understudied biofilm-associated infection. Here, analyses of preclinical and clinical data reveal that the Fsr quorum sensing (QS) system of Enterococcus faecalis is a negative regulator of IE pathogenesis.

#Microbiology

Loss of Fsr quorum sensing *promotes* biofilm formation and worsens outcomes in enterococcal infective endocarditis

@kimingeneva.bsky.social @harisantypas.bsky.social @scelse.bsky.social

#biofilms #bacteria

Pesticide Contamination of Important Microorganism Communities Moves through Environment to Protected Areas - Beyond Pesticides Daily News Blog Pesticide contamination continues to spread into protected areas, as documented by a study in Brazil of epilithic biofilms.

🏞️ A study of #water #contamination in #ProtectedAreas (PAs) in #Brazil "found #pesticide compounds in #biofilms both inside and outside PAs’ streams, with no buffer effect..." contrary to expectations. #microorganisms #dailynews Universidade Federal de Santa Maria ➡️ Blog: https://ow.ly/m0rX50YwquL

🔎Explore the amazing world of #microbes with NBIC & EBIC at @unisouthampton.bsky.social's #SOTSEF on 14 March!

🏢 Visit us: L4/B100

🧱 Build a LEGO biofilm
🧬 Modify bacterial DNA to clean up pollutants
👾 Play our Pac-Man-inspired pollution maze
🎨 See biofilm-inspired art & living microbes

#Biofilms

Professor Andrew Harrison, Executive Director of CERIC-ERIC recently visited the Open Innovation Hub for Antimicrobial Surfaces at the @liverpooluni.bsky.social for a tour of our facilities.

A great opportunity to exchange ideas and discuss ongoing science!

#biofilms #surfacescience #surfaces

Ultrasound-activated ‘nanoagents’ kill superbugs hiding in biofilms Scientists have designed nanoagents that act like smart drug‑delivery capsules – carrying an antibiotic deep into bacterial infections sites and releasing it only when activated by gentle ultrasound.

Scientists have designed 'nanoagents' that act like smart drug‑delivery capsules – carrying an antibiotic deep into bacterial infection sites and releasing it only when activated by gentle ultrasound.

#Antibiotics #AntibioticResistance #Microbiology #Biofilms

www.ntu.ac.uk/about-us/new...

🦠 First Friday Microbiome Seminar 坲March is coming！
📅 March 6 | 12 PM
📍 Marsico Hall 2004 (+ Zoom)

zoom.us/j/92459436676

Dr. José M. Bruno-Bárcena (NC State) will discuss how packed-bed reactors help us study microbial communities under flow and stress.

#Microbiome #Biofilms #FFMS

🦠🥬 #PhDOpportunity
Did you know oral bacteria help turn dietary nitrate into molecules important for #vascular biology?

Our centre at @qmul.bsky.social is welcoming PhD applications to explore microbial #nitrate metabolism in oral #biofilms.
🔬 Join us!
🔗 Apply via the link in the ad!

Mechanisms of microbiome modulation in the entero-salivary nitrate pathway at Queen Mary University of London on FindAPhD.com PhD Project - Mechanisms of microbiome modulation in the entero-salivary nitrate pathway at Queen Mary University of London, listed on FindAPhD.com

🦠🧪 #PhDOpportunity

Oral bacteria help convert dietary #nitrate into nitrite — a key step in #nitricoxide biology.

This PhD investigates how #microbial communities regulate nitrate #metabolism in oral #biofilms.

📍 @qmul.bsky.social @qmul-coirm.bsky.social
👨🏾‍🔬 @astephen.bsky.social [1/2]

Tricking bacteria to stop #biofilms 🦠 Chutima Jiarpinitnun & co-workers design squaramide AHL mimics that interfere with P. aeruginosa quorum sensing, blocking biofilm formation without killing cells⚡
#squaramide

Read more 👉 buff.ly/QdDRPho

🦠 Beyond classic probiotics: @schmitzstreitslab.bsky.social lab reveals diverse #Bacteroidota gut strains that block #biofilms of major pathogens. Many also disrupt quorum sensing & show bile salt hydrolase activity—expanding the #microbiome toolbox against infection.

👉 buff.ly/sjPk8ZD

📍 Today at Georgetown Biology!
We're excited to host Dr. Joshua Shrout (University of Notre Dame) for a deep dive into bacterial social lives and biofilms. 🧫
🕒 12:30 PM | Regents 239 & Zoom
Host: Tiffany Zarrella

#Microbiology #Biofilms #ScienceSky #GUBiology

📢 We’re proud to support the International Conference on #Biofilms and #Microbiomes - 20 May 2026, Cardiff.

🔬Hosted by Cardiff University and funded by @wellcometrust.bsky.social , with support from @amiposts.bsky.social and PCR Biosystems.

Register by 25 March 👉 tinyurl.com/487kprhn #MicroSky

Silencing bacteria can actually worsen heart infections, study reveals A team from the University of Geneva (UNIGE) and Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) have challenged the widely held assumption in infectious disease research that blocking…

Silencing #bacteria can actually worsen #heart #infections ...

| #endocarditis | #microbes | #Enterococcus | #biofilms | Via @sciencex.bsky.social

Frontiers | A dual-loop chemostat to investigate multi-species biofilms on implant surfaces under adjustable flow conditions Natural biofilms are typically composed of a mix of different microbial species and are often exposed to strong shear forces resulting from liquid flow. Simp...

New publication: "A dual-loop chemostat to investigate multi-species #biofilms on implant surfaces under adjustable flow conditions"
with Jan-Ole Reese, Ingrid Maria Castro Lund, Athanasios Saragliadis, Dirk Linke from @biovitenskap.bsky.social
Published in #Frontiers in Microbiology

🚀 Our NBIC Flexible #Talent Mobility Account #funding supports secondments and activities that contribute to the development of researchers and technical staff in industry and academia.

💡Find out more and apply ➡️ tinyurl.com/ypc7n938

#biofilms #biofilm #FTMA #microsky @ukri.org

Innovative Biodegradable Nanolayer Films: A Step Towards Sustainable Packaging Peak Nano introduces groundbreaking biodegradable multilayer polymer films aimed at reducing microplastic waste and enhancing sustainability in packaging.

Innovative Biodegradable Nanolayer Films: A Step Towards Sustainable Packaging #USA #Valley_View #Peak_Nano #NanoPlex #biofilms

La investigadora López-Cabo del #IIM-CSIC e integrante de #ASEQURA2 participa en la acción europea COST #CA23152 sobre #biofilms aportando su conocimiento sobre las biopelículas (biofilms) de #Listeria monocytogenes en la industria alimentaria.

🧀🦠 Wood, microbes… and cheese!
Join us for the UCC School of Microbiology Seminar with Silvia Ruta (Univ. of Catania):

“Wood, microbes and cheese: the biofilms that shape fermentations”

📅 Thu 12 Feb 2026 | ⏰ 13:00
📍 C_PHARM_LG51, UCC (in-person)

#Microbiology #Fermentation #Biofilms #UCC

Amazing #preprint by my colleagues Dasha and Andreas at @unibas.ch!
They describe the development of allosteric biosensors for two antibiotics 💊—Trimethoprim and Tetracycline.
One of their many observations with these sensors in live bacteria 🦠: Trimethoprim rapidly penetrates into #biofilms.

Chairing session three: bacterial genomics 🧬 our @eh-hayles.bsky.social expertly steered the session - asking insightful and thought provoking questions that delved deep into some awesome science on topics from #biofilms to vitamin B12! 🦠🧫

Intercalated bacterial biofilms are intrinsic internal components of calcium-based kidney stones | PNAS Calcium oxalate stones comprise greater than 70% of all kidney stones. In the current conceptual framework, the initial stone nidus is thought to i...

Intercalated bacterial #biofilms are intrinsic internal components of calcium-based kidney stones
#microbes #microbiology #scienceSky

www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...

Thrilled to be starting my postdoc @unibirmingham.bsky.social.
Working with @bucknerlab.bsky.social to explore how biofilm growth influences the evolution of plasmid-mediated AMR and hyper-virulence in Klebsiella pneumoniae. Big questions, exciting times.
#AMR #Biofilms #plasmids #microsky