Adhesion heterogeneity of individual bacterial cells in an axenic culture studied by atomic force microscopy

Summary The evaluation of bacterial adhesive properties at a single‐cell level is critical for under standing the role of phenotypic heterogeneity in bacterial attachment and community formation. Bacterial population exhibits a wide variety of adhesive properties at the single‐cell level, suggesting that bacterial adhesion is a rather complex process and some bacteria are prone to phenotypic heterogeneity. This heterogeneity was more pronounced for Escherichia coli , where two subpopulations were detected. Subpopulations exhibiting higher adhesion forces may be better adapted to colonize a new surface, especially during sudden changes in environmental conditions. Escherichia coli was characterized by a higher adhesion force, a stronger ability to form biofilm and larger heterogeneity index calculated in comparison with Bacillus subtilis . Higher adhesion forces are associated with a more efficient attachment of bacteria observed in an adhesion assay and might provide a basis for successful colonization, survival and multiplications in changing environment. The atomic force microscopy provides a platform for investigation of the adhesion heterogeneity of individual cells within a population, which may be expected to underpin further elucidation of the adaptive significance of phenotypic heterogeneity in a natural environment.