Biofilms are complex communities of microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, protozoa) that live together and are connected by a slimy extracellular matrix on living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) surfaces. They are important because, depending on their location and the composition of their community, the roles they play may have either antagonistic or beneficial effects. For example, biofilms are major producers of energy for food chains in aquatic ecosystems, bind soil and sand particles in desert ecosystems to support plant growth, and contribute to nutrient cycling that can break down toxins in various habitats. But, a biofilm’s “good intentions” can cause problems when it forms in the wrong location, in abundance, or with nefarious agents, such as when dental plaque forms on teeth and turns into cavities or when biofilms get trapped in water pipes and cooling systems.
At the 2026 Tandon Research Excellence Exhibit, members of the Hénaff Laboratory for Living Interfaces (Dhwani Nair Sophia BarbariaMatthew Hope, and Caroline Lou) developed an interactive game illustrating the vital role biofilms play in bioremediation. In the game, the player takes on the role of a bacterium in an urban waterbody, coexisting with other bacteria, while watching an animation of city workers. As they go about their day, the city is suddenly under attack by Aliens, who release a lethal liquid (pollutants) as their weapon. To guarantee the survival of the Biofilm City, the player is tasked with assembling the biofilm (a tactile, color-coded puzzle that resembles the components of an actual biofilm) in a limited amount of time. If successful, the city survives, and the workers construct their own structure that purifies the lethal Alien liquid into water.
The Biofilm City Interactive Game illustrates quorum sensing, a coordinated communication mechanism that underlies biofilm formation in response to environmental threats. Each player is assigned a specific role corresponding to a part of the mechanism: Builders, Recyclers, Messengers, Trappers, and Defenders. By engaging with the puzzle and working with other players, the experience encourages one to look to nature for solutions to our biggest challenges in industrial, urban, and environmental sustainability.