Image - Barts and The London logo and link to home page Image - divider Image - divider
 
  Institute of Cell and Molecular Science
Flow Cytometry Core Facility equipment, images used with permission by BD
  Flow Cytometry Core Facility
  link Home link Instruments available link Flow cytometry link Uses of flow cytometry link Flow sorting link Links link Contacts
 

Bacteria

Bacteria can be analysed flow cytometrically when in suspension without fluorescent staining, numerous fluorescent dyes can be used to indicate the presence of bacteria, viability, DNA content and membrane potential.

Labelling bacteria
The presence of bacteria for image analysis or interactions with mamallian cells can be acheived by labelling with FITC, Bis-oxonol dye, DiBAC4(5) or Hoechst 33342.

Viability
Bacterial viability can be assesed by commericial kits but DAPI and PI can be used to determine bacterial viability. This can be used in conjunction with Hoechst 33342

DNA content
Bacterial DNA content can be assesed by the use of Hoechst 33342 or PI on fixed bacteria.

Membrane potential
Measurement of bacterial membrane potential by Bis-oxonol is useful in combination with determination of bacterial viability giving a differential analysis.

Fluorescent Protein (FP)
Bacteria can be transfected with FPs including Cyan or CFP,Green or GFP and Yellow or YFP that can be detected by flow cytometry.

 
Top
 

Hoechst labelling bacteria

Bis-oxonal labelling bacteria

Bacterial Viability

DNA content

Fluorescent Proteins

 

Bisoxonal stained bacteria

Hoechst stained cells and bis-oxonol stained bacteria

 

by Gary Warnes. © Queen Mary, University of London 2007
Institute of Cell and Molecular Science, The Blizard Building, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, 4 Newark Street, London E1 2AT, UK Tel: +44 (0)20 7882 2483, Fax: +44 (0)20 7882 2200