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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 16, 2026

A New Method for Qualitative Multi-scale Analysis of Bacterial Biofilms on Filamentous Fungal Colonies Using Confocal and Electron Microscopy
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Surface visualisation of bacterial biofilms using neutral atom microscopy.

Nick A von Jeinsen1, David J Ward1, Matthew Bergin2

  • 1Department of Physics, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.

Journal of Microscopy
|October 3, 2025
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Scanning helium microscopy (SHeM) offers non-destructive surface imaging of bacterial biofilms. This new technology visualizes the extracellular polymeric substance matrix without dyes or damage, revealing intricate surface details.

Keywords:
bacterial biofilmsscanning helium microscope

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Area of Science:

  • Microscopy
  • Surface Science
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Bacterial biofilms are complex microbial communities encased in an extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) matrix.
  • Imaging the native surface of EPS is challenging due to limitations of existing microscopy techniques.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To apply scanning helium microscopy (SHeM) for imaging bacterial biofilms.
  • To demonstrate the capability of SHeM in visualizing the native EPS matrix surface.
  • To assess SHeM's non-destructive and high-surface-sensitivity imaging potential for biofilms.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a scanning helium microscope (SHeM) employing a neutral helium atom beam.
  • Imaged bacterial biofilms directly without the need for contrast agents or dyes.
  • Performed imaging under conditions that minimize radiative damage.

Main Results:

  • SHeM successfully visualized the surface of the bacterial EPS matrix.
  • The imaging was achieved natively, without staining or contrast enhancement.
  • The technique proved to be non-destructive, preserving the biofilm structure.
  • High surface sensitivity of SHeM was demonstrated in biofilm imaging.

Conclusions:

  • SHeM is a powerful new tool for non-destructively imaging bacterial biofilms.
  • SHeM provides unique, native visualization of the EPS matrix surface.
  • This technology offers significant advantages for studying biofilm structure and surface properties.