Microbial biofilms exhibit a self-produced matrix of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), including polysaccharides, proteins, extracellular DNA and lipids. EPS promote interactions of the biofilm with other cells and sorption of organics, metals and chemical pollutants, and they facilitate cell adhesion at interfaces and ensure matrix cohesion. EPS have roles in various natural environments, such as soils, sediments and marine habitats. In addition, EPS are relevant in technical environments, such as wastewater and drinking water treatment facilities, and water distribution systems, and they contribute to biofouling and microbially influenced corrosion. In medicine, EPS protect pathogens within the biofilm against the host immune system and antimicrobials, and emerging evidence suggests that EPS can represent potential virulence factors. By contrast, EPS yield a wide range of valuable products that include their role in self-repairing concrete. In this Review, we aim to explore EPS as a functional unit of biofilms in the environment, in technology and in medicine.

微生物生物膜表现出自产的细胞外聚合物质 (EPS) 基质，包括多糖、蛋白质、细胞外 DNA 和脂质。 EPS 促进生物膜与其他细胞的相互作用以及有机物、金属和化学污染物的吸附，并且它们促进界面处的细胞粘附并确保基质内聚力。 EPS 在各种自然环境中发挥作用，例如土壤、沉积物和海洋栖息地。此外，EPS 与废水和饮用水处理设施以及配水系统等技术环境相关，它们会导致生物污垢和微生物影响的腐蚀。在医学上，EPS 可以保护生物膜内的病原体免受宿主免疫系统和抗菌药物的侵害，新的证据表明 EPS 可以代表潜在的毒力因子。相比之下，EPS 可产生多种有价值的产品，其中包括它们在自我修复混凝土中的作用。在这篇综述中，我们的目标是探索 EPS 作为环境、技术和医学中生物膜的功能单元。