Unraveling the Structure-Function Relationships of Microbial Systems by High-Resolution in vitro Atomic Force Microscopy
The elucidation of microbial surface architecture is critical to determining mechanisms of pathogenesis, immune response, physicochemical properties and environmental resistance. We have utilized in vitro AFM for studies of structure, assembly, function and environmental dynamics of several microbial systems including bacteria and bacterial spores. We have demonstrated, using various species of bacterial spores strikingly different species-dependent crystalline structures of the spore coat appear to be a consequence of crystallization mechanisms that regulate the assembly of the spore coat. Furthermore, we revealed molecular-scale transformations of the spore coat and cell outgrowth during the germination process. We will present data on the direct visualization of stress-induced environmental response of metal-resistant Arthrobacter oxydans bacteria to Cr (VI) exposure. These studies demonstrate that in vitro AFM can probe microbial surface architecture, environmental dynamics and the life cycle of pathogens at near-molecular resolution under physiological conditions.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- OSTI ID:
- 891055
- Report Number(s):
- UCRL-CONF-220631
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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