Background

Microbial biofilms are a source of chronic infection, causing illness in 14 million people and 350,000 deaths across the globe annually. While it is possible to disrupt and destroy biofilms with biocidal agents, this approach is unfavorable, as biofilms are particularly prone to developing antimicrobial resistance (AMR). In addition, biofilms are often the mechanism whereby a microbial community exerts a pathogenic effect. Thus the ability to disrupt a biofilm without using biocidal agents opens the opportunity to ameliorate pathogenic activity without driving AMR. Currently, several approaches are employed to control microbial biofilms. Such practices include the use of disinfectants, topical antiseptics, antibiotics, surgical and nonsurgical procedures to remove dental biofilms, and disposal and replacement of biofilm-infected prostheses and medical