title: A method for measuring bacterial chemotaxis parameters in a microcapillary.
abstract: A new method was developed which enables chemotaxis parameters to be measured at a single-cell level inside a capillary for the first time. The chemotaxis chamber consists of two reservoirs communicating through a capillary tube 50 mum in diameter. Chemotaxis parameters are measured inside the capillary using image analysis, after a nearly linear attractant concentration gradient has been generated along the capillary by diffusion. Compared to previously published techniques, this method provides a well-characterized chemoattractant concentration profile in addition to allowing single-cell parameters to be measured inside a fine capillary. This procedure was used to measure the single-cell chemotaxis parameters for Escherichia coli K12, and the results are compared to published data on single E. coli cells chemotaxing in bulk. (c) 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana 70118.
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: K D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Papadopoulos