[Zurück]

O. Hekele, C. Gösselsberger, M. Brandstetter, M. Aumayr, S. Radel, R. Sommer, I. Gebeshuber:
"Bacillus subtilis investigated by bio- and nanotechnological methods";
Poster: 57. Jahrestagung Österreichische Physikalische Gesellschaft, Donau-Universität Krems; 27.09.2007; in: "57. Jahrestagung der Österreichischen Physikalischen Gesellschaft (24. - 28.9.2007), Donau-Universität Krems, Book of Abstracts", (2007), S. 85 - 86.

Bacillus subtilis is a single celled bacterium commonly found in soil. It
can sporulate, i.e. reversibly form a tough and protective endospore
that allows the organism to tolerate extreme environmental conditions.
B. subtilis is not harmful to human health and its robust spores may
therefore serve as safe model organisms for pathogenic microorganisms
in drinking water. Thus, this organism can be used to monitor the quality
of water disinfection devices that utilize UV radiation. One type of B.
subtilis spores is highly resistant to UV irradiation, whereas the other
type shows a low UV resistance.
Biotechnological methods used are ultrasonic treatment for separating
cells from nutrient solution and inducing sporulation in vegetative B.
subtilis by induction of adverse environmental conditions, such as
shortage of certain nutrients.
Intermittent contact atomic force microscopy mode (using an MFP-
3D from Asylum research, Santa Barbara, CA, USA) was used to
discern vegetative bacteria cells from spores [1]. The living cells were
imaged on days 2, 3, 4 and 7 after induction of adverse conditions.
Different sporulation stages (stage 0 to stage VII) are revealed by this
nanotechnological method.
Detailed scientific understanding of the sporulation of this organism
shall provide information regarding the development of novel biomimetic
UV resistant materials.

[1] Hekele O., Goesselsberger C.G., Brandstetter M.,
Aumayr M., Sommer R. and Gebeshuber I.C. (2007)
"Nanobiological atomic force microscopy study of
the sporulation of Bacillus subtilis.", Abstract Ninth
Yugoslav Materials Research Society Conference
YUCOMAT 2007, Herceg Novi, Montenegro,
September 10-14, 2007\