In situ monitoring of bacteria under antimicrobial stress using 31 p solid-state NMR

Abstract

In-cell NMR offers great insight into the characterization of the effect of toxins and antimicrobial peptides on intact cells. However, the complexity of intact live cells remains a significant challenge for the analysis of the effect these agents have on different cellular components. Here we show that 31 P solid-state NMR can be used to quantitatively characterize the dynamic behaviour of DNA within intact live bacteria. Lipids were also identified and monitored, although 31 P dynamic filtering methods indicated a range of dynamic states for phospholipid headgroups. We demonstrate the usefulness of this methodology for monitoring the activity of the antibiotic ampicillin and the antimicrob..