Advancing understanding of microbial biofilms through machine learning-powered studies

Microbial biofilms are prevalent in various environments and pose significant challenges to food safety and public health. The biofilms formed by pathogens can cause food spoilage, foodborne illness, and infectious diseases, which are difficult to treat due to their enhanced antimicrobial resistance. While the composition and development of biofilms have been widely studied, their profound impact on food, the food industry, and public health has not been sufficiently recapitulated. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of microbial biofilms in the food industry and their implication on public health. It highlights the existence of biofilms along the food-producing chains and the underlying mechanisms of biofilm-associated diseases. Furthermore, this review thoroughly summarizes the enhanced understanding of microbial biofilms achieved through machine learning approaches in biofilm research. By consolidating existing knowledge, this review intends to facilitate developing effective strategies to combat biofilm-associated infections in both the food industry and public health.

Automated summary

Microbial biofilms are common in various environments and present significant challenges to food safety and public health. These biofilms formed by pathogens can lead to food spoilage, foodborne illnesses, and infectious diseases, which are challenging to treat due to increased antimicrobial resistance. While there has been extensive research on the composition and development of biofilms, their profound impact on food, the food industry, and public health has not been adequately summarized. This review provides a comprehensive overview of microbial biofilms in the food industry and their implications for public health, highlighting their presence throughout the food production chains and the underlying mechanisms of biofilm-associated diseases. Additionally, the review thoroughly summarizes the enhanced understanding of microbial biofilms achieved through machine learning approaches in biofilm research. By consolidating existing knowledge, this review aims to facilitate the development of effective strategies to combat biofilm-associated infections in both the food industry and public health.