Journal article

A fluorescence in situ staining method for investigating spores and vegetative cells of Clostridia by confocal laser scanning microscopy and structured illuminated microscopy

P D'Incecco, L Ong, S Gras, L Pellegrino

Micron | Elsevier | Published : 2018

Abstract

Non-pathogenic spore-forming Clostridia are of increasing interest due to their application in biogas production and their capability to spoil different food products. The life cycle for Clostridium includes a spore stage that can assist in survival under environmentally stressful conditions, such as extremes of temperature or pH. Due to their size, spores can be investigated by a range of microscopic techniques, many of which involve sample pre-treatment. We have developed a quick, simple and non-destructive fluorescent staining procedure that allows a clear differentiation between spores and vegetative cells and effectively stains spores, allowing recovery and tracking in subsequent experi..

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University of Melbourne Researchers

Grants

Awarded by Australian Research Council's Industrial Transformation Research Program (ITRP) funding scheme


Funding Acknowledgements

This research was supported under Australian Research Council's Industrial Transformation Research Program (ITRP) funding scheme (project number IH120100005). The ARC Dairy Innovation Hub is a collaboration between the University of Melbourne, The University of Queensland and Dairy Innovation Australia Ltd. The authors thank The Advanced Microscopy Facility (AMF) and Biological Optical Microscopy Platform (BOMP) at The Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute and the Particular Fluids Processing Centre at the University of Melbourne for access to equipment. Thanks are due to the Institute of Sciences of Food Production (ISPA-CNR, Milan, Italy) for supplying the Clostridia strains used in this study.