Chitosan-based structures for targeting bacterial biofilm-associated genes

Biofilms are a common lifestyle, in which bacteria grow as multicellular communities. The negative consequences of biofilms are well known. The targeted suppression of certain genes is a promising approach for combating biofilms. Chitosan (CS) has become a focus of biomedical research due to its antimicrobial activity and high biocompatibility. The modification of CS is an important aspect of CS research. The present review deals with the use of CS-based structures in combating bacterial biofilms, with a focus on biofilm-associated genes. CS or CS nanoparticles (NPs), CS functionally modified with natural compounds, metals or metal NPs, or as a drug delivery system are discussed. This review also presents various strategies to improve the performance of CS in biomedical applications such as drug delivery systems, wound healing, bone scaffolds, and dentistry. This knowledge collectively demonstrates the versatility of CS-based structures in disrupting biofilm formation by targeting biofilm-associated genes and provides valuable insights for the development of next-generation antibiofilm therapeutics.