Since 1995 the research group under Prof. Friedrich Götz has been interested in learning more about the biofilm formation of Staphylococci with regard to the development of „chronical implant associated infections“. The following activities are part of the main areas of research:

1. Identification and charaterization of genes and their products taking part in biofilm formation.

With regard to this field of research, we could for the first time classify the components of biofilm formation into Adhäsenie (Gross et al., 2001; Heilmann et al., 1996a; Heilmann et al., 1997; Heilmann and Götz, 1998; Peschel et al., 1999; Peschel et al., 2000) and cell-aggregation substances (Cramton et al., 1999; Fedtke et al., 2007; Heilmann et al., 1996a; Heilmann et al., 1996b; Tormo et al., 2005). The well-adopted model according to which biofilm formation can be gourped in two phases, has also been introduced first by us (Götz et al., 2000; Götz, 2002; Heilmann et al., 1996a).

2. Design of a test procedure for biofilm formation properties of silicon and other polymers.

Over the past few years we developed a procedure to test the adhesion properties of polymers of selected bacteria groups.

3. Design of a screening prodcedure to test antimicrobial and/or bacteria adhesion inhibitive (retardant) substances.

We have also developed a test procedure in recent years to help with this subject.

The following article in Orthopäde 1999 · 28:381-382 © Springer-Verlag 1999 illustrates the problem treated and our target course: http://www.springerlink.com/content/j5cy2wh5rnp8y41h/fulltext.pdf

The research group under Prof. Götz has published more than 40 papers dealing with the subject of biofilm and its role in implant associated infections.