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Related Concept Videos

Atomic Force Microscopy01:08

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Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is a type of scanning probe microscopy that can analyze topographic details of various specimens like ceramics, glass, polymers, and biological samples. AFM offers over 1000 times more resolution than the optical imaging system. Images generated from AFM are three-dimensional surface profiles, offering an advantage over the flat, two-dimensional images from other imaging techniques.
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Updated: May 24, 2026

Preparation, Imaging, and Quantification of Bacterial Surface Motility Assays
07:35

Preparation, Imaging, and Quantification of Bacterial Surface Motility Assays

Published on: April 7, 2015

Atomic force microscopy: a powerful tool for studying bacterial swarming motility.

Annika Gillis1, Vincent Dupres, Jacques Mahillon

  • 1Laboratory of Food and Environmental Microbiology, Earth and Life Institute, Université catholique de Louvain, Croix du Sud 2, Box L7.05.12, B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium.

Micron (Oxford, England : 1993)
|March 6, 2012
PubMed
Summary

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) rapidly images bacterial phenotypes, revealing how flagella expression and cell shape change during swarming motility. This technique quantifies morphological differences between swarming and non-swarming bacterial populations.

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Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Bacterial Motility
  • Microscopy Techniques

Background:

  • Swarming motility is crucial for bacterial surface translocation, driven by flagella.
  • Understanding flagella regulation in swarming requires advanced imaging methods.
  • Traditional microscopy lacks versatility, ease, and high-resolution quantitative data.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop and validate an atomic force microscopy (AFM)-based approach for studying bacterial swarming motility.
  • To rapidly image bacterial phenotypes, including cell shape and flagella expression.
  • To quantify morphological differences in bacteria under varying swarming conditions.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized atomic force microscopy (AFM) for imaging bacterial cells in air.
  • Inoculated Bacillus thuringiensis sv. israelensis on media with varying agar concentrations.
  • Performed swarming assays and analyzed cell morphology and flagella presence using AFM.

Main Results:

  • AFM successfully imaged bacterial cell shape and flagella expression.
  • Cells at the rim of swarming colonies on soft agar were hyperflagellated, elongated, and formed chains.
  • Increased agar concentration reduced flagella, shortened cells, and decreased motility.
  • Colony centers showed non-flagellated, rod-shaped cells, lysis, and sporulation.

Conclusions:

  • AFM imaging provides a versatile and high-resolution tool for studying bacterial swarming motility.
  • AFM can effectively discriminate between swarming and non-swarming cells based on morphology.
  • This approach offers quantitative insights into bacterial population dynamics during swarming.