Biofilms are communities of microorganisms encased in a self-produced matrix of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), which shields them from chemical and mechanical stress, promoting survival and evolutionary success. Biofilms are the primary mode of growth of bacteria and have a significant impact in environmental, industrial, and medical settings1,2. However, there is a significant lack of understanding about how the physical structure and chemical composition of biofilms determine their resistance to harsh environments.
Our research aims to elucidate the physical mechanisms governing biofilm formation and the emergence of their distinctive morphological and mechanical properties3,4. I will present examples of biofilms grown under different environmental conditions, including moist surfaces, fluid-exposed interfaces, and porous media, across different bacterial species5–10. For each case, I will present the experimental platform we developed to investigate the specific system and the results we obtained 11–13. Our findings reveal that the interplay between biological processes and physical forces governs biofilm assembly, morphology, and rheology, directly influencing their physiological protective functions. Additionally, this research uncovers the novel physics of living, non-equilibrium systems, shedding light on how active biological matter interacts with external forces to produce emergent behaviors fundamental to their resilience and function.