Multifunctional antibiofilm materials: surface engineering and nanotherapeutic strategies for biofilm prevention and eradication.

Abstract

Bacterial biofilms, as structured microbial communities embedded within self-produced extracellular polymeric substances, present formidable challenges in clinical and healthcare environments due to their intrinsic resistance to antimicrobial treatments and ability to evade host immune responses. Addressing these resilient structures requires the development of advanced antibiofilm materials through multifunctional approaches. This review conducts a comprehensive examination of contemporary antibiofilm strategies, structured around two primary objectives: biofilm formation prevention and established biofilm eradication. The first section systematically analyzes surface engineering strategies aimed at preventing biofilm formation on medical implants and devices, focusing on three principal coating approaches: anti-adhesive, bactericidal, and biofilm-disruptive coatings. The second section delves into therapeutic interventions, predominantly nanoplatform-based, designed to target mature biofilms by disrupting their structural integrity and killing the embedded bacterial cells. Special emphasis is placed on the design principles and fabrication techniques of multifunctional antibiofilm coatings and nanoplatforms that integrate multiple antibiofilm mechanisms, accompanied by representative case studies. The concluding perspectives identify critical research gaps and propose integrated frameworks to facilitate the practical implementation of antibiofilm technologies. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: This review critically evaluates contemporary biofilm management approaches through two complementary paradigms: proactive inhibition of biofilm colonization and precise targeting of mature biofilms. By presenting foundational insights into the design of antibiofilm coatings and therapeutic nanoplatforms, this review highlights innovative multifunctional systems that synergistically combine diverse antibiofilm mechanisms, offering valuable perspectives for the biomaterials research community. Ultimately, this review advances the rational development of biofilm-responsive materials and delineates a strategic pathway to expedite the translation of antibiofilm innovations into medical and environmental applications, thereby addressing the global challenge of antimicrobial resistance.