High rates of conjugation in bacterial biofilms as determined by quantitative in situ analysis.
Quantitative in situ determination of conjugative gene transfer in defined bacterial biofilms using automated confocal laser scanning microscopy followed by three-dimensional analysis of cellular biovolumes revealed conjugation rates 1,000-fold higher than those determined by classical plating techniques. Conjugation events were not affected by nutrient concentration alone but were influenced by time and biofilm structure.
Hausner
M
M
Institute of Water Quality Control and Waste Management, Technical University of Munich, D-85748 Garching, Germany.
Wuertz
S
S
D001419:Bacteria / Q000235:genetics*; D018441:Biofilms; D003227:Conjugation, Genetic; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D017930:Genes, Reporter; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D008164:Luminescent Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal
D008164:Luminescent Proteins; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins