Figure 4. Biofilm architecture and growing network of S-EPS film and filamentous EPS structures.
(a) Ex-vivo SDCLM data of a mid-sized, vertical growing biofilm. The bottom view of this small biofilm indicates a relatively small number of surface-adhered cells (light green color). (b) False-color WFM and SDCLM fluorescence images identify S-EPS film surrounding a bacterial biofilm and filamentous EPS structures. (c) False-color WFM fluorescence data showing filamentous structures emerging from bacterial biofilm and facilitated bacterial adhesion on the filamentous network. (d) SPM and ex-vivo SDLCM data illustrate bacterial adhesion to filamentous EPS structures. (e) AFM topography data of filamentous EPS structures and complementary height distribution of individual EPS filaments (n = 89). See also Supplementary Fig. S4. Measurement statistics are described in the Materials and Methods section.