Biofilms are communities of microorganisms irreversibly attached to various substrates which are embedded in the matrix of extracellular polymeric substances. Biofilms are present in both natural and human environments, which may cause serious problems. In this article, we deal with the basic characteristics, origin, development and functions of biofilms. and Martin Rulík, Veronika Holá.
The function of biofilms in natural waters is driven primarily by mutual interactions between algae, bacteria and their grazers. In turn, the grazers together with a hydraulic regime of the environment may control the biomass and the thickness of the biofilms and affect their ability to intake and retain nutrients and toxic pollutants. Thus biofilms represent the hot spots of metabolic activity which contribute substantially to water self-purification and serve as food for invertebrate organisms. However, biofilms may also show adverse effects on the surfaces they colonize. and Martin Rulík.
Biofilm, as a form of microbial existence, is very important from the medical point of view. Both our native microflora and pathogenic bacteria live in the biofilm form. Microbes growing in the biofilm show higher resistance to externall conditions and to the action of antimicrobials, which is considered to be very important virulence factor common to all biofilm-positive bacteria. The article deals with both biofilmformed native microflora and biofilm infections. and Veronika Holá.
V návaznosti na výzkum botaniků a malakozoologů se na unikátních prameništních mokřadech Západních Karpat rozběhlo v posledních letech také intenzivní studium vodních bezobratlých zaměřených rovněž na skupiny mikroskopických korýšů - lasturnatek (Ostracoda) a plazivek (Harpacticoida). Podařilo se nám objasnit jejich distribuci na prameništích, nalézt 8 nových druhů pro Českou a Slovenskou republiku a rozšířit znalosti o jejich ekologii., In connection with research by botanists and malacozoologists at unique spring areas in Western Carpathian marshland, intensive study has taken place over the last few years into water invertebrates and groups of microscopic crustaceans - ostracodes (Ostracoda) and Harpacticoida. We have succeeded in clarifying their distribution in the spring areas, finding eight new species for the Czech and Slovak Republics and expanding knowledge of their ecology., and Marie Zhai, Dana Hřívová, David Výravský.