Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
5522240 | Journal of Microbiological Methods | 2017 | 10 Pages |
â¢Confocal laser scanning microscopy is a valuable tool to study the biofilm matrix.â¢Various extracellular compounds can be labeled fluorescently and visualized in 3D.â¢Concentrations of diffusing molecules in the matrix can be monitored in real-time.â¢Diffusion of solutes through the matrix can be quantified.
The extracellular matrix is an integral part of microbial biofilms and an important field of research. Confocal laser scanning microscopy is a valuable tool for the study of biofilms, and in particular of the biofilm matrix, as it allows real-time visualization of fully hydrated, living specimens. Confocal microscopes are held by many research groups, and a number of methods for qualitative and quantitative imaging of the matrix have emerged in recent years. This review provides an overview and a critical discussion of techniques used to visualize different matrix compounds, to determine the concentration of solutes and the diffusive properties of the biofilm matrix.