Figure 1.
Images of plasmid transfer from the E. coli MG1655 donor strain to soil bacteria at reference condition (no stress) (left panel) or as affected by metal stress. Type of metal (Ni, As or Cu) and degree of stress are indicated in the top left corner of the other panels; number refers to % inhibition of [3H]leucine incorporation for the Nycodenz-extracted recipient bacterial community. Donor bacteria, chromosomally tagged with mCherry appear red, recipient bacteria appear initially colorless until successful plasmid receipt and subsequent gfp expression, transconjugants appear green.