In the context of research carried out by the Institut Pasteur on infectious, parasitic and immunological illnesses, and the means needed to prevent and fight them, the BNP Paribas Foundation provides support to the Genetics Group on Biofilms directed by Professor Jean-Marc Ghigo.

Thick layers of bacteria fixed to a living or inert surface, biofilms abound in nature and can be revealed in all types of environments. Frequently harmful, their development on medical equipment constitutes a major problem as they represent a source of contamination and a contributive factor to the spread of nosocomial infections in hospital patients. Work carried out at the Institut Pasteur could contribute to a better understanding of this bacterial way of life and supply leads for developing strategies aimed at preventing or controlling biofilm formation in situations where they constitute a health, industrial or ecological problem.