Correlated biofilm imaging, transport and metabolism measurements via combined nuclear magnetic resonance and confocal microscopy.

ABSTRACT: Bacterial biofilms are complex, three-dimensional communities found nearly everywhere in nature and are also associated with many human diseases. Detailed metabolic information is critical to understand and exploit beneficial biofilms as well as combat antibiotic-resistant, disease-associated forms. However, most current techniques used to measure temporal and spatial metabolite profiles in these delicate structures are invasive or destructive. Here, we describe imaging, transport and metabolite measurement methods and their correlation for live, non-invasive monitoring of biofilm processes. This novel combination of measurements is enabled by the use of an integrated nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM). NMR methods provide macroscopic structure,

SUBMITTER: McLean JS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4454505 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature