title: Thickness and surface density of extracellular polymers on Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans.
abstract: In vivo force microscopy measurements of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans revealed a repulsive force that was due to the presence of extracellular polymers on the bacterium's surface. Measured force-distance profiles were fit to steric force theory to estimate the density and thickness values of these exopolymers. The polymer densities were 3.4 x 10(16) to 7.1 x 10(16) molecules m(-2), and the equilibrium thickness was 29 nm.
authors.affiliation: The Ohio State University, 275 Mendenhall Laboratory, 125. S. Oval Mall, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
authors.forename: Eric S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: Steven K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Lower
mesh_terms: D042763:Acidithiobacillus / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial / Q000648:ultrastructure*
chemical_list: D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial