Improved Visualization of Oral Microbial Consortia.

ABSTRACT: Bacteria on the tongue dorsum (TD) form consortia tens to hundreds of microns in diameter organized around a core of epithelial cells. Whole-mount preparations have been instrumental in revealing their organization and specific microbial associations. However, their thickness and intricate 3-dimensional complexity present challenges for a comprehensive spatial analysis. To overcome these challenges, we employed a complementary approach: embedding in hydrophilic plastic followed by sectioning and postsectioning labeling. Samples were labeled by hybridization with multiplexed fluorescent oligonucleotide probes and visualized by spectral imaging and linear unmixing. Application of this strategy to TD biofilms improved the visualization of bacteria that were difficult to resolve in whole-mount

SUBMITTER: Ramirez-Puebla ST 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11653304 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature