Many microorganisms have long been used to produce drugs, enzymes, or biofuels. A special life form of some of these microorganisms are biofilms – complex communities of cells that live together on surfaces and are connected by a protective matrix. They are the dominant life form of microorganisms in nature. Unlike free-floating cells, they are characterized by special robustness and efficiency. In industrial biotechnology, however, microorganisms are usually cultivated in a free-floating form in the laboratory and not as biofilms. As a result, many of the natural advantages of this way of life remain unused.
The priority program “Productive Biofilm Systems” (SPP 2494), funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG), has been running since 2025 and brings together 12 leading research groups across Germany in an initial funding period of three years. The program aims to investigate which factors determine the growth, stability, and performance of biofilms – and how these can be specifically influenced in order to use them as efficient tools in biotechnological processes.
The quest “Biofilms: Microfactories of the Future?” will soon be available here: You will learn which biofilms you have already encountered, how nature uses biofilms, and how researchers are using them to develop sustainable production processes. Can’t wait?
Explore the website of the priority program ProBioS now and dive into the world of productive biofilms today.