Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 8, 2025

Preparation, Imaging, and Quantification of Bacterial Surface Motility Assays
Published on: April 7, 2015
Social Motility Assays of Flavobacterium johnsoniae
Chikara Sato1,2,3,4, Keiko Sato5
1School of Integrative and Global Majors (SIGMA), University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan.
Abstract:
Flavobacterium johnsoniae cells move rapidly over solid surfaces by gliding motility. The collective migration of F. johnsoniae on the surfaces results in the formation of spreading colonies. Colony spreading is influenced by adhesin components on the cell surface and the concentrations of agar and glucose. For example, on nutrient-poor agar media, film-like, round spreading colonies are formed. F. johnsoniae displays at least two types of migration: small cell cluster movements leading to concentric colonies and individual cell movements leading to dendritic colonies. The methods for observing colony morphology are described in this chapter.
Related Concept Videos
Flagella and Motility in Bacteria
Chemotaxis in E. coli

