Deciphering biofilm structure and reactivity by multiscale time-resolved fluorescence analysis

Abstract

In natural, industrial and medical environments, microorganisms mainly live as structured and organised matrix-encased communities known as biofilms. In these communities, microorganisms demonstrate coordinated behaviour and are able to perform specific functions such as dramatic resistance to antimicrobials, which potentially lead to major public health and industrial problems. It is now recognised that the appearance of such specific biofilm functions is intimately related to the three-dimensional organisation of the biological edifice, and results from multifactorial processes. During the last decade, the emergence of innovative optical microscopy techniques such as confocal laser scanning microscopy in combination with fluorescent labelling has radically transformed imaging in biofilm research, giving the possibility to investigate non-invasively the dynamic mechanisms of formation and reactivity of these biostructures. In this chapter, we discuss the contribution of fluorescence analysis and imaging to the study at different timescales of various processes: biofilm development (hours to days), antimicrobial reactivity within the three-dimensional structure (minutes to hours) or molecular diffusion/reaction phenomena (pico- to milliseconds).