Live cell fluorescent stain of bacterial curli and biofilm through supramolecular recognition between bromophenol blue and CsgA.

Identification of curli-specific dyes for biofilm communities of microorganisms is an important task. We describe here a curli fluorescent light-up probe called bromophenol blue, which binds to curli via recognizing CsgA. This platform may provide a new perspective for the research on biofilm, amyloid disease and living materials.