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Bacteria are small organisms that cannot be seen with the naked eye. To detect them, one must use a microscope. A bacterium is made up of a cell wall which is a rigid layer made of proteins and sugars that defines the borders of the cell, provides it with physical support, and protects it from the environment, that surrounds the genetic material and other structures that are needed for the bacterial cell.

Bacteria are the most abundant form of life on our planet. They exist in multiple sizes, shapes, and colors. Bacteria reproduce by division, where each cell divides into two new cells, called daughter cells. Within half an hour or so, bacteria can double in number. Many bacteria are not harmful to humans and are considered "good" bacteria. These good bacteria are beneficial to humans. For example, "good" bacteria can take up the space of harmful bacteria and by doing so protect us from infections. Other bacteria help us to digest our food. Harmful bacteria, also called pathogenic bacteria, cause various illnesses.

Bacteria live in colonies, in which each bacterium is surrounded by many other bacteria that protect it from the external environment. Within the colony, the bacteria communicate with each other using chemicals. These chemical signals help the bacteria to form a network called a biofilm. Another name for a biofilm is a plaque. The term plaque is often used by dentists to describe the bacterial layer on teeth. This layer is well attached to the teeth and secretes materials that destroy the teeth. A biofilm can provide bacteria with resistance to antibiotics, which can usually kill individual bacteria. As a biofilm, some bacteria can still live, multiply, and cause infections even in the presence of antibiotics. These infections are a major problem in hospitals. To prevent these infections, hospitals and the healthcare system invest much effort to clean hospital facilities and medical devices.

Unfortunately, an ultimate solution that completely prevents biofilm formation does not exist. Research groups that try to crack the problem of biofilms have come up with several different solutions, but there is still a need for a coating that will be stable enough, will not come off from the surface, will not be toxic to cells, and will be easy to apply and inexpensive.