Abstract
Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) was used for the detection of natural genetic transformation in a defined pure culture Acinetobacter calcoaceticus BD413 biofilm, with the enhanced yellow fluorescent protein (EYFP) as a nonselective genetic marker. The effect of free DNA concentration and of exposure time to free DNA on transformation frequency was explored. Transformation studies indicated that Acinetobacter calcoaceticus BD413 cells exposed to as little as 0.1 ng free DNA/ml resulted in detectable transformation frequencies (1 × 10-4 transformed cells/recipient cell). Within 2 hours about 20% of the biofilm cells expressed eyfp after exposure to 1 μg free DNA/ml. Microscopic analysis revealed a unique distribution of transformation frequencies in the biofilm. The highest frequencies were found near the substratum or near the biofilm/medium interface.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 155-158 |
| Number of pages | 4 |
| Journal | Water Science and Technology |
| Volume | 41 |
| Issue number | 4-5 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2000 |
| Externally published | Yes |
| Event | Biofilms Systems IV - New York, NY, USA Duration: Oct 17 1999 → Oct 20 1999 |
ASJC Scopus Subject Areas
- Environmental Engineering
- Water Science and Technology
Keywords
- Acinetobacter calcoaceticus
- Biofilm
- Confocal laser scanning microscopy
- Horizontal gene transfer
- In situ genetic engineering
- Natural genetic transformation