Through the looking glass: approaches to visualizing the life cycles of Bdellovibrio and like organisms

Microscopy has always been an important tool in the investigation of the structure and growth of bacteria that possess a developmental life cycle. Prokaryotic predators are no exception. Phase contrast light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy were utilized in the 1960s to describe Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus, the first Bdellovibrio and like organism (BALO). New prokaryotic predators continue to be isolated to the present day. At the same time, new techniques in microscopy have been developed that allow researchers to ask ever more fundamental questions about the periplasmic and epibiotic life cycles of BALOs. This review outlines current methodologies available in light, electron and fluorescence microscopy and provides examples of their use in the study of BALOs. It is our fitting tribute to R.G.E. Murray.