Scanning electron microscope imaging of bacteria based on DNA sequence.
OBJECTIVE
To develop a scanning electron microscopic approach using in situ hybridization (SEM-ISH) for gaining both genetic and morphological information about target bacteria.


RESULTS
Target cells were hybridized with DNA-targeted polynucleotide probes, and a tyramide signal amplification system was used to increase the sensitivity. The protocol of SEM-ISH enabled to detect low copy number target DNA sequences in individual cells.


CONCLUSIONS
SEM-ISH allowed the in situ detection of bacteria carrying a specific gene.


CONCLUSIONS
Combining morphological study with SEM and ISH techniques appears to be a valuable tool to understand the spatial distribution of target cells in complex microbial communities on various materials.
Kenzaka
T
T
Osaka University, Japan.
Ishidoshiro
A
A
Tani
K
K
Nasu
M
M
D001419:Bacteria / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D015342:DNA Probes; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning / Q000379:methods*; D021141:Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization
D015342:DNA Probes; D004269:DNA, Bacterial