FIG 8.

FdeC mediates biofilm formation. (A) Biofilm formation in polystyrene microtiter plates by the vector control strain MS427(pSU2718) and the complemented strain MS427(pFdeC) at 28°C and 37°C. Results are averages of OD₅₉₅ readings from at least 4 independent experiments ± standard errors of the means. The expression of FdeC resulted in strong biofilm formation at both temperatures. (B) Dynamic flow chamber assay examining biofilm formation by E. coli OS56 containing pFdeC (left) or the control plasmid pSU2718 (right). Biofilm development was monitored by confocal scanning laser microscopy after 36 h. The images are representative horizontal sections collected within each biofilm and vertical sections (on the right and above each larger panel, representing the yz and xz planes, respectively). FdeC expression resulted in strong biofilm formation.