Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

A method for measuring bacterial chemotaxis parameters in a microcapillary

Journal Article · · Biotechnology and Bioengineering
;  [1]
  1. Tulane Univ., New Orleans, LA (United States). Dept. of Chemical Engineering

A new method was developed which enables chemotaxis parameters to be measured at a single-cell level inside a capillary for the first time. The chemotaxis chamber consists of two reservoirs communicating through a capillary tube 50 {micro}m in diameter. Chemotaxis parameters are measured inside the capillary using image analysis, after a nearly linear attractant concentration gradient has been generated along the capillary by diffusion. Compared to previously published techniques, this method provides a well-characterized chemoattractant concentration profile in addition to allowing single-cell parameters to be measured inside a fine capillary. This procedure was used to measure the single-cell chemotaxis parameters for Escherichia coli K12, and the results are compared to published data on single E. coli cells chemotaxing in bulk.

DOE Contract Number:
FG21-93EW53023
OSTI ID:
260443
Journal Information:
Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Journal Name: Biotechnology and Bioengineering Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 51; ISSN BIBIAU; ISSN 0006-3592
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

Similar Records

Bacterial motility, collisions, and aggregation in a 3-{micro}m-diameter capillary
Journal Article · Sun Jan 19 23:00:00 EST 1997 · Biotechnology and Bioengineering · OSTI ID:566333

Chemotaxis of large granular lymphocytes
Journal Article · Tue Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1985 · J. Immunol.; (United States) · OSTI ID:6801214

Comparative genomics of Geobacter chemotaxis genes reveals diverse signaling function
Journal Article · Mon Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 2007 · BMC Genomics · OSTI ID:1626470