IMPROVED ANTI-BIOFILM ASSAY METHODS

A method for determining the anti-biofilm activity of an active agent on a bacterial biofilm. The method comprises culturing a bacterial colony in a culture medium in contact with at least one bead under conditions to form at least one biofilm coated bead. The at least one biofilm coated bead is then separated from planktonic bacteria to provide at least one washed biofilm coated bead substantially free of planktonic bacteria. The washed biofilm coated bead is then aseptically transferred to a vessel such as a well of a well plate. A growth medium, a metabolic dye and a known amount of the active agent of interest are then added to the or each vessel containing a washed biofilm coated bead. The growth medium, metabolic dye, active agent of interest and biofilm coated bead are then incubated in the or each vessel. Any change in color intensity of the metabolic dye in the or each vessel is measured and the activity of the active agent against the bacterial biofilm is determined based on the color intensity in the or each vessel.