Methods for in situ detection and characterization of extracellular polymers in biofilms by electron microscopy

Electron microscopy of biofilms and the localization of extracellular polymers at high resolution require the adaptation of conventional electron microscopic preparation and imaging techniques. A method developed for in situ fixation and embedding of biofilms, imaging of unstained thick sections with electron spectroscopic imaging and the application of lectin or antibody-based marker systems allowed interpretation of extracellular polymer distribution at micrometer scale. By this way, it is possible to discriminate in situ between extracellular polymers produced by different organisms.