Biofilms are organized microbial communities embedded in an extracellular matrix, which provides microorganisms with greater resistance to environmental stressors and improves their survival. For many years, biofilms were viewed primarily as an undesirable phenomenon in medicine, industry, and environmental systems. In recent years, however, they have been recognized as a promising platform for various biotechnological applications. The aim of this thesis was to present the fundamental characteristics of biofilms, modern biofilm engineering approaches, and their potential applications in biotechnology. A review of the literature has shown that targeted modification of regulatory mechanisms, extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) components, and environmental factors can effectively influence biofilm formation, structure, and functionality. Genetic engineering, synthetic biology, and the modification of materials and surfaces play a key role in the development of biofilms with precisely tailored properties. Such engineered biofilms hold significant potential for applications in bioremediation, microbial fuel cells, biosensors, and the development of engineered living materials. Despite their significant potential, major challenges remain, including the control of complex microbial communities, ensuring the long-term stability of biofilm-based systems, and the safe translation of these systems from laboratory research to industrial applications.
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