In water microbiology, there is a need for rapid methods to enumerate specific viable bacteria. This requirement is of particular concern in relation to the water which is to be reclaimed for potable use on the Space Station. Methods to be investigated involve treatment and incubation of cells concentrated on membranes, followed by microscopic examination to determine both viability and identity. Physiological assessment will be based on reaction with fluorogenic substrates which permit evaluation of activity of specific enzymes or physiological processes.
Our method is relatively simple and uses fluorescent stains to detect specific bacteria that are viable. Bacteria removed from an environment such as water are stained with two different dye reagents that allow the determination of the identity of a target bacterium plus its viability. No other method is available that can provide all of this information in a short (i.e. 3-5 hours) time. This analytical approach is novel and potentially adaptable to a wide range of applications where there is a great need for such a technique, in addition to the water system on space vehicles. It also has the potential for further development by using molecular probes to detect specific organisms or groups of bacteria. We are currently seeking additional funding to make thses advances and apply the technique in areas other than the analysis of water. One patent application was filed, entitled, "Simple rapid method for the detection, identification and enumeration of specific viable microorganisms."
| Mail: | Drs. Gordon McFeters & Barry H. Pyle |
|
Department of Microbiology |
| Montana State University | |
| Bozeman, MT 59717 |
| E-mail: | umbbp@montana.edu |
| Phone: | (406) 994-3041 |
| FAX: | (406) 994-4926 |
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