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The opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa causes chronic biofilm-associated infections in the lungs of cystic fibrosis patients that cannot be eradicated by antibiotics. Like most other pathogens, P. aeruginosa is under intense competition with the host for iron. Recent studies show that even when there is sufficient iron for growth, this element serves as a signal for biofilm development. Here, we summarize our knowledge of the role iron plays in P. aeruginosa biofilm development. Novel therapeutic approaches that target iron homeostasis as an antibiofilm target are also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]