Characterization of diatom adhesion properties on different substrates: from population to individual scale
Abstract
Phototrophic biofilms are essential ecological players acting at the interface between the water column and immersed substrates. They are complex aggregates of microorganisms among which diatoms often dominate. These microalgae produce copious amount of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) which provide a physical structure to the biofilm community (i.e. matrix), To date, little is known about the cell surface properties governing the adhesion of these organisms. Here we used atomic force microscopy (AFM) to decipher the topography and adhesive properties of the freshwater diatom Nitzschia palea at the nanoscale.
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