Molecular level damages of low power pulsed laser radiation in a marine bacterium Pseudoalteromonas carrageenovora.
OBJECTIVE
To study the molecular level damages in a marine bacterium, Pseudoalteromonas carrageenovora, exposed to low power pulsed laser radiation from an Nd:YAG laser.


RESULTS
The laser damages in bacterial DNA were monitored by studying the formation of apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP) sites. Molecular probe kits were used for this purpose. Occurrence of lesions in the cell walls was monitored under a transmission electron microscope (TEM). The results showed that laser radiation significantly increased the number of AP sites in the bacterial DNA. This increase corresponded to the laser fluence (J cm(-2)) and to the duration of laser irradiation. TEM observation showed the occurrence of lesions in bacterial cell walls upon laser irradiation.


CONCLUSIONS
It is concluded that bacteria exposed to laser irradiation suffers DNA damages and resulted in broken cell walls. These events led to bacterial mortality. These are in addition to the mechanisms reported earlier such as the photochemical reactions occurring inside the cells upon exposure to low power laser.


CONCLUSIONS
These results help us to understand the mechanisms of bacterial mortality on exposure to low power pulsed laser irradiation and are useful in formulating a laser treatment strategy to kill bacteria.
Nandakumar
K
K
Department of Biology, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, ON, Canada. nandakumar.kanavillil@lakeheadu.ca
Obika
H
H
Utsumi
A
A
Ooie
T
T
Yano
T
T
D002473:Cell Wall / Q000648:ultrastructure; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D004249:DNA Damage; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000737:chemistry; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D007834:Lasers; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D031161:Pseudoalteromonas / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000528:radiation effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013997:Time Factors
D004269:DNA, Bacterial