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.

中文翻译：

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原子力显微镜研究无菌培养中单个细菌细胞的粘附异质性

在单细胞水平上评估细菌粘附特性对于理解表型异质性在细菌附着和群落形成中的作用至关重要。细菌种群在单细胞水平上表现出多种粘附特性，这表明细菌粘附是一个相当复杂的过程，一些细菌容易出现表型异质性。这种异质性在大肠杆菌中更为明显，其中检测到了两个亚群。表现出更高粘附力的亚群可能更好地适应新的表面，尤其是在环境条件突然变化的情况下。大肠杆菌其特点是与枯草芽孢杆菌相比具有更高的粘附力、更强的形成生物膜的能力和更大的异质性指数。较高的粘附力与在粘附测定中观察到的细菌更有效的附着相关，并且可能为在不断变化的环境中成功定植、存活和繁殖提供基础。原子力显微镜为研究群体内单个细胞的粘附异质性提供了一个平台，这可能有助于进一步阐明自然环境中表型异质性的适应性意义。