Use of green fluorescent protein to monitor survival of genetically engineered bacteria in aquatic environments.
Many methods for detecting model genetically engineered microorganisms (GEMs) in experimental ecosystems rely on cultivation of introduced cells. In this study, survival of Escherichia coli was monitored with the green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene. This approach allowed enumeration of GEMs by both plating and microscopy. Use of the GFP-marked GEMs revealed that E. coli persisted in stream water at higher densities as determined microscopically than as determined by CFU enumeration. The GFP gene did not negatively impact the fitness of the host strain.
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Department of Biological Sciences, Kent State University, Ohio 44242, USA. LLEFF@KENTVM.KENT.EDU
Leff
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D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000502:physiology; D005818:Genetic Engineering; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D008164:Luminescent Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D014871:Water Microbiology
D008164:Luminescent Proteins; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins