Figure 1.

Effect of thermal stress on the viability of Hs. The cell cultures were heat-shocked at different temperatures (from 40°C to 60°C) for 1 h under agitation. Here, we present the data for the 60°C experiment. After centrifugation, the stressed cell paste was enclosed in the sample holder and the mean molecular dynamic properties of the cell were measured during 24 h by neutron scattering. To assess for the cell mortality rates after the experiment, the pellet was resuspended in the initial volume of cultivation media. Haloarchaeal cells were stained with the LIVE/DEAD BacLight kit. (a) Differential interference contrast image of Hs. (b) Green fluorescence corresponds to viable Archaea with intact membranes. (c) Red fluorescence indicates non-viable Archaea. The viability rates were found to be over 95% after 1 h of stress and after the 24 h neutron experiment.