title: Characterization of bacteria by multiparameter flow cytometry.
abstract: An arc-lamp based flow cytometer was used to obtain high resolution measurements of the light scattering characteristics and DNA contents of eight different bacteria. Light scatter profiles of bacteria are a useful first step when flow cytometry is used to characterize organisms. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy of the bacterial samples demonstrate that the structural basis of the light scattering profiles is not always clear, i.e. some organisms appear to have anomalous light scattering characteristics. The use of a third measurement parameter, DNA content, allowed much better discrimination of the organisms. Flow cytometry shows great promise as a method for the rapid discrimination and identification of bacterial populations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pure and Applied Biology, University of Wales College of Cardiff, UK.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Allman
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Hann
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Manchee
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lloyd
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000166:cytology* / Q000235:genetics; D015373:Bacterial Typing Techniques; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000379:methods*; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
chemical_list: D004269:DNA, Bacterial