Chapter 20 — Biofilm Physics and Ecological Entrenchment
Summary: This chapter examines the physical, chemical, and ecological structures that stabilize a collapsed gut microbiome. Biofilms function as multi-layered, metal-cross-linked matrices that alter local oxygen gradients, redox conditions, nutrient diffusion, and microbial competition. These features create entrenched microbial architectures that resist clearance, maintain Proteobacteria dominance, and elevate endotoxin exposure even without acute infection. Biofilm … Read more