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. 1975 Oct;30(4):676–684. doi: 10.1128/am.30.4.676-684.1975

Autoradiography and Immunofluorescence Combined for Autecological Study of Single Cell Activity with Nitrobacter as a Model System1

C B Fliermans 1,2, E L Schmidt 1
PMCID: PMC187246  PMID: 1103733

Abstract

Specific detection of a particular bacterium by immunofluorescence was combined with estimation of its metabolic activity by autoradiography. The nitrifying bacteria Nitrobacter agilis and N. winogradskyi were used as a model system. Nitrobacter were incubated with NaH14CO3 and 14CO2 prior to study. The same preparations made for autoradiograms were stained with fluorescent antibodies specific for the Nitrobacter species. Examination by epifluorescence and transmitted dark-field microscopy revealed Nitrobacter cells with and without associated silver grains. Direct detection and simultaneous evaluation of metabolic activity of Nitrobacter was demonstrated in pure cultures, in a simple mixed culture, and in a natural soil.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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