Fig. 1. MDP treatment enables the sterilization of chlamydial EBs via γ-irradiation while preserving their structural integrity.

a Graphical depiction of the protective effects of MDP against ionizing radiation. MDP complex protects proteinaceous components of bacterial outer membranes from ROS-induced damage while allowing for the destruction of the genome. b Dose-response γ-irradiation kill curve for C. trachomatis. Each data point represents the mean of three biological replicates obtained from three separate experiments (presented individually in Supplementary Fig. 1a). Error bars represent the standard error of the mean. LOD limit of detection. c Transmission electron micrographs of C. trachomatis EBs (dark spheres) subjected to 20× the LD₁₀₀ of γ-radiation (20 kGy) in the presence or absence of MDP.