 Enteropathogenic bacteria use extracellular appendages, known as FPLE, to share plasmids carrying antibiotic-resistant genes. Here, the authors show that FPLE are highly flexible but robust at the same time, and this is important for plasmid transfer and formation of biofilms that protect against the action of antibiotics. This article was authored by Jonas B. Patkowski to buy a Stolberg, Hymoni Amin, and others.