Beyond the wall: can D-amino acids and small molecule inhibitors eliminate infections?

Bacterial multicellular communities called biofilms thrive in a variety of conditions, as they provide significant benefits to the resident bacteria. In clinical settings, biofilms are often associated with persistent infections, and their formation can have deadly outcomes. In a biofilm, the bacteria are effectively sheltered from environmental insults. For example, biofilm cells can be up to 1000 times more resistant to antibiotics than planktonic (free-living) cells [1,2]. The mechanisms supporting this resistance are poorly understood.