Analysis of biofilm structure and gene expression using fluorescence dual labeling

The use of biofilms for the degradation of recalcitrant environmental contaminants or for the production of secondary metabolites necessitates understanding and controlling gene expression. In this work, dual labeling with green fluorescent protein (GFP) variants was used to investigate inducible gene expression in a biofilm. Colocalization of GFP emissions was used to determine regions of attached cells and to correlate structure and activity within the biofilm. The labeling strategy reported here is unique in that the two GFP signals were distinguished by differential excitation rather than differential emission.