Confocal microscopy of biofilms - Spatiotemporal approaches

Abstract

Biofilms consist of microbial cells (bacteria, fungi, and algae) that are fixed in a spatially defined relationship to one another, typically involving attachment to a substratum by means of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). Afew real-world examples of biofilms include dental plaque, slimes on rocks, slimes occurring in liquid distribution systems (e.g., drinking water supplies and sewers), and natural bacterial populations on plant and animal surfaces (e.g., skin microflora, epiphytic and rhizosphere microorganisms). In nature, the vast majority of microbial biomass is attached to a substratum. The most complex biofilms are mixtures of phylogenetically and physiologically different organisms. © 2006, 1995, 1989 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC. All rights reserved.