Quantitative image analysis of microbial communities with BiofilmQ

Nat Microbiol. 2021 Feb;6(2):151-156. doi: 10.1038/s41564-020-00817-4. Epub 2021 Jan 4.

Abstract

Biofilms are microbial communities that represent a highly abundant form of microbial life on Earth. Inside biofilms, phenotypic and genotypic variations occur in three-dimensional space and time; microscopy and quantitative image analysis are therefore crucial for elucidating their functions. Here, we present BiofilmQ-a comprehensive image cytometry software tool for the automated and high-throughput quantification, analysis and visualization of numerous biofilm-internal and whole-biofilm properties in three-dimensional space and time.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bacteria / cytology
  • Bacteria / genetics
  • Bacteria / growth & development
  • Biofilms*
  • Image Cytometry / methods*
  • Imaging, Three-Dimensional / methods*
  • Microbiota*
  • Software*
  • Spatio-Temporal Analysis