Mechanical strength, anti-disruptive properties and nanomechanical adhesive characteristics recorded using force-separation curves of the <i>M. xanthus</i> starvation biofilm matrix with or without eDNA.

<p>In panel A, DK1622 biofilms without DNase I (black bar) and with DNase I (grey bar) were established over a 24 hr time period in MOPS buffer and biomass was measured as crystal violet optical density (No-treatment control). The changes of biomass in these two kinds of biofilms after sonication or SDS treatment, respectively, are also shown. In panel B, representative force curves measured by AFM on DK1622 24 hr starvation biofilm matrix (curve I), matrix treated with DNase I (curve II) and bare portion of the substrate after the tip was used (curve III). Force-separation curves were recorded as “approach” (blue) and “retraction” (red) curves.