The article "The EPS Matrix: The 'House of Biofilm Cells'" by Hans-Curt Flemming, Thomas R. Neu, and Daniel J. Wozniak, discusses the extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) in biofilms, which are crucial for the survival and structure of microbial communities. EPS, often referred to as the "house of biofilm cells," influence the microenvironment by affecting porosity, density, water content, and mechanical stability. These biopolymers, primarily composed of polysaccharides but also including proteins, glycoproteins, glycolipids, and extracellular DNA (e-DNA), form a matrix that retains water and interacts with the environment. The matrix facilitates nutrient retention, predator-prey interactions, and genetic material exchange through horizontal gene transfer. The authors highlight the complexity and dynamic nature of EPS, emphasizing that they are not just polysaccharides but a diverse mixture of components. They discuss specific EPS components such as alginate, Psi polysaccharide, and cellulose, and their roles in biofilm formation and structure. The article also explores the functional aspects of e-DNA, which has been found to play a structural role in biofilms, potentially acting as nanowires for electron transfer and communication. The discussion section underscores the need for more research to understand the full range of EPS functions, including their role in biocide resistance and the spatial and temporal heterogeneity of biofilms. The authors call for more sensitive and less destructive methods to study biofilm processes in situ, aiming to better understand the construction principles, functions, and dynamics of the "house of biofilm cells."The article "The EPS Matrix: The 'House of Biofilm Cells'" by Hans-Curt Flemming, Thomas R. Neu, and Daniel J. Wozniak, discusses the extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) in biofilms, which are crucial for the survival and structure of microbial communities. EPS, often referred to as the "house of biofilm cells," influence the microenvironment by affecting porosity, density, water content, and mechanical stability. These biopolymers, primarily composed of polysaccharides but also including proteins, glycoproteins, glycolipids, and extracellular DNA (e-DNA), form a matrix that retains water and interacts with the environment. The matrix facilitates nutrient retention, predator-prey interactions, and genetic material exchange through horizontal gene transfer. The authors highlight the complexity and dynamic nature of EPS, emphasizing that they are not just polysaccharides but a diverse mixture of components. They discuss specific EPS components such as alginate, Psi polysaccharide, and cellulose, and their roles in biofilm formation and structure. The article also explores the functional aspects of e-DNA, which has been found to play a structural role in biofilms, potentially acting as nanowires for electron transfer and communication. The discussion section underscores the need for more research to understand the full range of EPS functions, including their role in biocide resistance and the spatial and temporal heterogeneity of biofilms. The authors call for more sensitive and less destructive methods to study biofilm processes in situ, aiming to better understand the construction principles, functions, and dynamics of the "house of biofilm cells."