Biofilms: Microbial Strategies for Surviving UV Exposure.

Biofilm communities are an ingenious form of protection of microbial cells which have been evolving for billion of years. In general, ultraviolet (UV) radiation presents poor penetration in the matrix of biofilms and only the first few top layers of microbial cells are exposed to its deleterious effects. For further protection against UV radiation, exposed cells can produce specialized compounds such as mycosporine-like amino acids and carotenoid pigments. In this chapter, the adaptation mechanisms presented by biofilms against UV radiation are presented, as well as the application of UV light to monitor and destroy biofilms in man made surfaces.