Morphological and nanostructural surface changes in Escherichia coli over time, monitored by atomic force microscopy.

•Different population and cell division patterns are emphasized by AFM.•After a week, E. coli bacteria experience a release of intracellular compounds.•Ageing of E. coli induces the restructuration of lipopolysaccharides molecules.•The outer membrane of healthy E. coli exhibits a lamellae phase separation pattern.•Weakened E. coli exhibit a rougher outer membrane, due to LPS reorganization.