Fig. 7From: The exopolysaccharide–eDNA interaction modulates 3D architecture of Bacillus subtilis biofilmProposed model for how extracellular DNA (eDNA)-exopolysaccharide (EPS) interaction modulates 3D architecture of B. subtilis SBE1 biofilm. Complex 3D biofilm forms in the following sequence: (1) initial aggregation, bacterial cells are connected and bridged by eDNA and EPS; (2) accumulation, a core of EPS-enmeshed bacterial cells is formed to provide a supporting framework; and (3) maturation, bacterial cells divide and accumulate, and EPS and DNA are evenly distributed in the biofilmBack to article page