An image-based 384-well high-throughput screening method for phenotypic discovery of biofilm inhibitors in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

We developed a high-throughput high-content phenotypic screen for Pseudomonas aeruginosa to identify biofilm inhibitors and determine the mode of action of antibiotics in crude natural product extracts. The screen uses an image-based quantification of biofilm phenotypes to identify biofilm inhibitors and cluster natural product crude extracts by mode of action. Screening extracts of 300 unique marine microbes, we discovered 20 crude extract hits. From these 20 crude hits, we identified 2 unique biofilm inhibitors. Screen development and identification of small molecules will be presented.