Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Biofilms01:29

Biofilms

1.8K
Biofilms are complex communities of microorganisms encased in a self-produced extracellular polysaccharide matrix attached to surfaces. These microbial consortia can include single or multiple species, providing enhanced survival benefits by forming organized, multilayered structures.The formation of biofilms occurs through four key stages: attachment, colonization, development, and dispersal.During attachment, free-swimming planktonic cells adhere to a surface, often facilitated by...
1.8K
Microenvironments01:22

Microenvironments

1
Microorganisms inhabit highly localized spaces known as microenvironments, which are defined by distinct physical and chemical characteristics. These include oxygen concentration, pH, temperature, light availability, and nutrient levels. The conditions within a microenvironment can differ markedly from those in the surrounding area and significantly influence microbial growth, metabolism, and community structure.Microenvironments often display sharp physicochemical gradients over small spatial...
1
Overview of Cell-Matrix Interactions01:24

Overview of Cell-Matrix Interactions

9.6K
The extracellular matrix or ECM holds cells together to form a tissue and allows the cells within the tissue to communicate. ECM comprises proteins such as fibronectin, collagen, laminin, etc. The most abundant protein in this space is collagen. Collagen fibers are interwoven with carbohydrate-containing protein molecules called proteoglycans. ECM allows cell migration and provides a structural scaffold at cell adhesion that anchors the cell when the extracellular matrix proteins interact with...
9.6K
Microbial Mats01:25

Microbial Mats

6
Microbial communities forming biofilms and mats represent complex, spatially structured ecosystems where metabolic processes are stratified according to light, oxygen, and nutrient gradients. Biofilms are initial colonization stages, only a few millimeters thick, while mature microbial mats can reach centimeter-scale thickness and display intricate vertical organization. Their structural and functional heterogeneity allows microorganisms to occupy distinct ecological niches within a few...
6
The Extracellular Matrix01:29

The Extracellular Matrix

13.1K
Overview
In order to maintain tissue organization, many animal cells are surrounded by structural molecules that make up the extracellular matrix (ECM). Together, the molecules in the ECM maintain the structural integrity of tissue as well as the remarkable specific properties of certain tissues.
Composition of the Extracellular Matrix
The extracellular matrix (ECM) is commonly composed of ground substance, a gel-like fluid, fibrous components, and many structurally and functionally diverse...
13.1K
The Extracellular Matrix01:42

The Extracellular Matrix

90.9K
Overview
90.9K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Fermented food microbiome: influence on oral and gut microbiota, and human health.

Nature reviews. Microbiology·2026
Same author

Emulating the gingival-tooth interface during bacterial, fungal, and viral infection in a microphysiological model of the human oral cavity.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026
Same author

Correction: Scalable flow synthesis of ultrasmall inorganic nanoparticles for biomedical applications via a confined impinging jet mixer.

Scientific reports·2026
Same author

Can nanozymes make the leap to the clinic? Advances, hurdles, and prospects.

Trends in biotechnology·2026
Same author

Scalable flow synthesis of ultrasmall inorganic nanoparticles for biomedical applications via a confined impinging jet mixer.

Scientific reports·2026
Same author

Nanozyme Microrobots: Programmable Spatiotemporal Catalysis for Targeted Therapy and Diagnostics.

Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 20, 2026

Methods for Characterizing the Co-development of Biofilm and Habitat Heterogeneity
09:21

Methods for Characterizing the Co-development of Biofilm and Habitat Heterogeneity

Published on: March 11, 2015

10.6K

Dynamic cell-matrix interactions modulate microbial biofilm and tissue 3D microenvironments.

Hyun Koo1, Kenneth M Yamada2

  • 1Biofilm Research Labs, Levy Center for Oral Health, Department of Orthodontics and Divisions of Pediatric Dentistry & Community Oral Health, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, PA 19104, USA.

Current Opinion in Cell Biology
|June 4, 2016
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Cells in microbial biofilms and eukaryotic tissues are surrounded by extracellular matrices. These matrices provide structural support and dynamic signals, influencing cell behavior and creating unique microenvironments.

More Related Videos

Remote Magnetic Actuation of Micrometric Probes for in situ 3D Mapping of Bacterial Biofilm Physical Properties
14:42

Remote Magnetic Actuation of Micrometric Probes for in situ 3D Mapping of Bacterial Biofilm Physical Properties

Published on: May 2, 2014

9.6K
Three-dimensional Patterning of Engineered Biofilms with a Do-it-yourself Bioprinter
08:40

Three-dimensional Patterning of Engineered Biofilms with a Do-it-yourself Bioprinter

Published on: May 16, 2019

10.4K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Mar 20, 2026

Methods for Characterizing the Co-development of Biofilm and Habitat Heterogeneity
09:21

Methods for Characterizing the Co-development of Biofilm and Habitat Heterogeneity

Published on: March 11, 2015

10.6K
Remote Magnetic Actuation of Micrometric Probes for in situ 3D Mapping of Bacterial Biofilm Physical Properties
14:42

Remote Magnetic Actuation of Micrometric Probes for in situ 3D Mapping of Bacterial Biofilm Physical Properties

Published on: May 2, 2014

9.6K
Three-dimensional Patterning of Engineered Biofilms with a Do-it-yourself Bioprinter
08:40

Three-dimensional Patterning of Engineered Biofilms with a Do-it-yourself Bioprinter

Published on: May 16, 2019

10.4K

Area of Science:

  • Extracellular matrix biology
  • Microbiology
  • Cell biology

Background:

  • Both microbial biofilms and eukaryotic tissues feature cells embedded in a 3D extracellular matrix.
  • This matrix acts as a scaffold for cell adhesion and provides dynamic chemical and physical signals.
  • Extracellular matrices create heterogeneous microenvironments with varying porosity, stiffness, pH, oxygen, and nutrient levels.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify concepts from biofilm and eukaryotic matrix biology relevant to each other.
  • To stimulate new research questions, approaches, and insights by cross-disciplinary comparison.
  • To highlight the importance of matrix formation, mechanosensing, remodeling, and cell-matrix interactions.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and synthesis of concepts from biofilm and eukaryotic matrix biology.
  • Identification of shared and distinct mechanisms of matrix formation, remodeling, and cell-matrix interactions.
  • Comparative analysis of how extracellular matrices influence cellular behavior and microenvironment heterogeneity.

Main Results:

  • Extracellular matrices are crucial for both structural integrity and dynamic signaling in diverse biological systems.
  • Mechanisms of matrix formation, cell-matrix interactions, and environmental sensing are conserved across microbial and eukaryotic systems.
  • Matrix heterogeneity significantly impacts cellular functions, including adhesion, signaling, and dispersal.

Conclusions:

  • Cross-disciplinary insights between biofilm and eukaryotic matrix biology can foster novel research directions.
  • Understanding extracellular matrix dynamics is key to deciphering cellular behavior in complex environments.
  • Further investigation into shared matrix mechanisms may reveal fundamental principles of cell-environment interactions.