Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 31, 2026
07:40
Monitoring Spatial Segregation in Surface Colonizing Microbial Populations
Published on: October 29, 2016
Scanning electron microscopy of bacterial colonies.
Applied Microbiology
|December 1, 1973
Summary
A new method allows detailed observation of bacterial colony growth using scanning electron microscopy. This technique captures individual cell morphology and spatial arrangement in Bacillus species, offering reproducible and simple visualization.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Microscopy techniques
Background:
- Observing bacterial colony growth is crucial for understanding microbial behavior.
- Traditional methods may not fully capture the three-dimensional structure of microcolonies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe a novel technique for observing bacterial colony growth.
- To enable detailed visualization of bacterial morphology and spatial arrangement within colonies.
Main Methods:
- Growing Bacillus cereus, B. subtilis, and B. cereus var. mycoides on dialysis membranes over nutrient agar.
- Fixing microcolonies in situ with Formalin vapor.
- Mounting fixed colonies on scanning electron microscope stubs for imaging.
Main Results:
- Scanning electron micrographs clearly depicted individual cell morphology.
- The spatial orientation of cells within bacterial colonies was visualized.
- The technique successfully preserved cellular arrangement during sample preparation.
Conclusions:
- The described technique provides a simple, reproducible, and adaptable method for observing bacterial colony growth.
- This approach enhances the understanding of bacterial microcolony structure and cellular organization.
- The method is suitable for detailed morphological studies of Bacillus species.
More Related Videos
09:45A New Method for Qualitative Multi-scale Analysis of Bacterial Biofilms on Filamentous Fungal Colonies Using Confocal and Electron Microscopy
Published on: January 25, 2017
08:52Paraffin Embedding and Thin Sectioning of Microbial Colony Biofilms for Microscopic Analysis
Published on: March 23, 2018
Related Concept Videos
01:25Overview of Electron Microscopy
The wavelengths of visible light ultimately limit the maximum theoretical resolution of images created by light microscopes. Most light microscopes can only magnify 1000X, and a few can magnify up to 1500X. Electrons, like electromagnetic radiation, can behave like waves, but with wavelengths of 0.005 nm, they produce significantly greater resolution up to 0.05 nm as compared to 500 nm for visible light. An electron microscope (EM) can create a sharp image that is magnified up to 2,000,000X.
01:07Scanning Electron Microscopy
A scanning electron microscope (SEM) is used to study the surface features of a sample by using an electron beam that scans the sample surface in a two-dimensional manner. Typically, areas between ~1 centimeter to 5 micrometers in width can be imaged. SEM can be used to image bacteria, viruses, tissues as well as larger samples like insects. Conventional SEM gives a magnification ranging from 20X to 30,000X and spatial resolution of 50 to 100 nanometers.
Fundamental Principles
Accelerated...
Fundamental Principles
Accelerated...
01:22Overview of Microscopy Techniques
The early pioneers of microscopy opened a window into the invisible world of microorganisms. In 1830, Joseph Jackson Lister created an essentially modern light microscope. The 20th century saw the development of microscopes that leveraged nonvisible light, such as fluorescence microscopy that uses an ultraviolet light source and electron microscopy that uses short-wavelength electron beams. These advances significantly improved magnification, image resolution, and contrast. By comparison, the...
01:28Three-Dimensional Microscopy in Microbiology
Three-dimensional imaging techniques are essential in cell biology, allowing researchers to visualize intricate cellular structures with high resolution. Two prominent methods, Differential Interference Contrast Microscopy (DIC) and Confocal Scanning Laser Microscopy (CSLM), provide distinct advantages for imaging live and thick specimens, respectively.Differential Interference Contrast MicroscopyDIC microscopy enhances contrast in transparent, unstained samples by converting phase...
01:13Special Staining Techniques
Specialized staining techniques play a vital role in microbiology by enabling the visualization of specific bacterial structures that remain undetectable with standard microscopy methods. These techniques not only enhance the structural visualization of bacterial cells but also provide critical insights into their pathogenicity and classification. Additionally, they support diagnostic and research endeavors in microbiology by identifying key bacterial features.Capsule Staining for Virulence...