Time-Resolved Fluorescence Assay for Measuring Oxygen Consumption Rates in Staphylococcus aureus

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Bacterial Physiology
• Metabolic Assays

Background:

• Oxygen consumption is crucial for bacterial energy metabolism and reflects cellular state.
• Oxygen consumption rates (OCR) in Staphylococcus aureus vary with growth stage and nutrient availability.
• Measuring OCR is a valuable tool for assessing the effects of genetic or environmental changes on bacteria.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a MitoXpress® Xtra-based assay for quantifying oxygen consumption rates in Staphylococcus aureus.
• To provide a fast, reliable, and reproducible method for assessing bacterial respiration.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a MitoXpress® Xtra assay with an oxygen-sensing probe.
• Employed a fluorescence plate reader for real-time OCR determination.
• Focused on Staphylococcus aureus aerobic growth conditions.

Main Results:

• The described method allows for fast and reliable determination of respiration rates.
• The assay is highly reproducible and simple to perform.
• Minimal reagents are required, enabling rapid screening of multiple samples.

Conclusions:

• The MitoXpress® Xtra assay offers an efficient approach to measure Staphylococcus aureus oxygen consumption.
• This method facilitates the rapid screening of factors impacting bacterial respiration, growth, and fitness.
• The assay's simplicity and reproducibility make it suitable for diverse research applications.