"
Team:Glasgow/BiofilmResults
From 2011.igem.org
Results
The images below show a selection of stages of biofilm formation. Starting with Image 1 showing a lab strain of E.colithat has no fimbriae, and is not forming a biofilm.
Image 2 shows an EM of E.coli Nissle 1917 in the early stages of biofilm formation. The fimbriae that allow the cells to cling to each other are clearly visible.
Image 3 shows a Nissle biofilm in the later stages of formation, with the cells densely packed and the extracellular matrix that holds them together showing.
Image 1: 15,000x EM of E.coli for comparison. No fimbriae or EPS is visible. (courtesy of Rocky Mountain Laboratories) |
 Image 2: 10,000x SEM image of Nissle showing the fimbriae |
 Image 3: SEM image of Nissle biofilm showing the extracellular matrix |
Image 4: 1000x EM of P. aeruginosa biofilm, showing its densely packed structure (courtesy of Dan Walker, University of Glasgow) |
Figure 1: Comparison of RFP E.coli Nissle biofilms to untransformed E.coli Nissle bioflims under light microscope and under excitatory and non-excitatory wavelengths |
Figure 2: Comparison of RFP E.coli Nissle biofilms to puC19 E.coli Nissle biofilms under light microscope and under excitatory and non-excitatory wavelengths |
Summary
- New Chassis
-Transformable
- Forms biofilms
- Non-pathogenic and compatible with majority of biobricks
-No shuttle vector necessary
-Time series shows that biofilm grows at similar speed to planktonic cells
Well suited for biofilm investigation, especially when intending to transform the biofilm
