Surface Engineering Approaches for Controlling Biofilms and Wound Infections

Bacterial infection and biofilm formation are serious concerns in the wound healing process and with biomedical implants and devices. Different methods for engineering of surfaces have been studied over the years to mitigate biofilm formation. The major factors controlling biofilm formation are environmental, material, and bacterial properties. Out of these, engineering of the material surface is the most viable option for improving the antibacterial activity and controlling implant-related biofilm infections. These surface engineering strategies focus on altering physicochemical properties of the material surface, developing antiadhesive surfaces, coating with bioactive organic and inorganic molecules, and adding antimicrobial moieties to inhibit bacterial adhesion or express bacteriostatic or bactericidal effects. This chapter discusses the mechanism of biofilm formation and the surface engineering approaches applied to prevent biofilms.