Fig. 1

Single-cell encapsulation and cultivation of honeybee gut bacteria in microfluidic droplets. A Principal scheme for single-cell encapsulation and cultivation of honeybee gut bacteria using the microfluidic droplet platform. After isolating individual bacteria in a single droplet, the emulsifier was added to break up droplets. The bacteria in the upper aqueous phase were collected for shotgun metagenomic sequencing. B Single bacteria cells are isolated in droplets containing culture medium, and the emulsion was incubated for 120 h. (see also Additional file 2: Video S1). C The distribution of bacteria cells in the droplets was visualized by fluorescence microscopy. White arrowheads point toward individual bacterial cells. D After 120 h, the microfluidic droplets remain stable during cultivation. E Distinct morphologies across droplets of cultivated bacteria. (See also Additional file 3: Video S2)