Date of Last Revision
2023-05-02 16:58:01
Major
Chemistry
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science
Date of Expected Graduation
Winter 2015
Abstract
Intracytoplasmic membranes are structures that form within cells which help facilitate a variety of different metabolic processes. This feature of intracellular membranes makes them particularly valuable for studying compartmentalization and cell dynamics in bacteria. In the past, transmission electron microscopy has been the primary method for imaging bacteria with intracytoplasmic membranes. Because transmission electron microscopy takes images of a cell in fixed slices, it’s impossible to follow a cell’s growth and development over time. Fluorescence microscopy is a particularly effective method of measurement that can combat these issues when evaluating live bacterial cells. Here, standard biochemical laboratory procedures were used for the growth and development of two methanotrophs, Methylomicrobium alcaliphilum 20Z and Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b, and a photosynthetic purple non-sulfur bacterium, Rhodobacter sphaeroides 2.4.1. Fluorescence microscopy was used to monitor and evaluate these cells, and subsequently quantify the data obtained. The data obtained from this research project helped develop a rapid assessment method for intracellular membrane identification. It also helped clarify both how and why these intracellular membranes form.
Research Sponsor
Dr. Michael Konopka
First Reader
Dr. Adam Smith
Second Reader
Dr. Aliaksei Boika
Recommended Citation
Hammer, Theodore J., "Application of Lipid Styryl Dye for Staining Intracytoplasmic Membranes in Gram-Negative Bacteria" (2015). Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects. 209.
https://ideaexchange.uakron.edu/honors_research_projects/209