Enrichment of slow-growing marine microorganisms from mixed cultures using gel microdrop (GMD) growth assay and fluorescence-activated cell sorting

摘要: Encapsulation of cells in agarose gel microdrops (GMDs) combined with fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) has been used previously to analyze and recover specific mammalian, bacterial, yeast populations. Recently, we have developed a method enrich mixed bacterial populations for slow-growing microorganisms using the GMD Growth Assay fluorochrome staining flow cytometry. Here, demonstrate feasibility this experimental approach detect clonogenic growth individual bacteria within GMDs less than 3 h separate subpopulations based on differential rates. We show that after sorting, organisms remain viable can be propagated culture further analysis.