Researchers at the University of Nottingham have developed innovative microtopographical patterns on plastic surfaces that drastically inhibit bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation, a leading cause of persistent medical device infections. Utilizing high-throughput screening, specific micro-landscapes inducing quorum sensing–mediated autolubrication disrupt initial bacterial attachment and aggregation. Tested in vitro and in vivo, these patterned surfaces mitigate biofilm-associated infections without relying on antibiotics, offering a promising strategy to reduce morbidity and mortality related to medical implants like catheters and breathing tubes.