Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Natural transformation in river epilithon

H G Williams1, M J Day, J C Fry

  • 1School of Pure and Applied Biology, College of Cardiff, University of Wales, United Kingdom. JULIEW@MAINE.MAINE.EDU

Applied and Environmental Microbiology
|August 1, 1996
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Data characterizing the ZMIZ1 molecular phenotype of multiple sclerosis.

Data in brief·2017
Same author

Lost in the wash.

Nursing standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987)·2017
Same author

The autoimmune risk gene ZMIZ1 is a vitamin D responsive marker of a molecular phenotype of multiple sclerosis.

Journal of autoimmunity·2017
Same author

IFNL3/4 genotype is associated with altered immune cell populations in peripheral blood in chronic hepatitis C infection.

Genes and immunity·2016
Same author

Cistromic and genetic evidence that the vitamin D receptor mediates susceptibility to latitude-dependent autoimmune diseases.

Genes and immunity·2016
Same author

Does the BRAF(V600E) mutation herald a new treatment era for Erdheim-Chester disease? A case-based review of a rare and difficult to diagnose disorder.

Internal medicine journal·2015

Natural transformation in Acinetobacter calcoaceticus was demonstrated in river epilithon using free DNA or live cells. This study shows bacteria can naturally transform within indigenous communities in situ.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Environmental Science
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Natural transformation is a key mechanism for bacterial genetic exchange.
  • Previous studies on natural transformation were primarily conducted in laboratory settings.
  • Understanding in situ transformation is crucial for microbial ecology and evolution.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To demonstrate natural transformation in bacteria within a natural riverine environment (epilithon).
  • To investigate the influence of environmental factors, such as temperature, on in situ transformation frequency.
  • To provide direct evidence of bacterial genetic exchange occurring within an indigenous microbial community.

Main Methods:

  • Incubating immobilized Acinetobacter calcoaceticus strains on filters secured to stones midstream in a river.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Utilizing free DNA (lysates) or live donor cells for transformation.
  • Assessing transformation frequencies under varying temperature conditions and with different recipient culture ages.
  • Demonstrating transformation of bacteria within natural epilithic biofilms and plasmid transformation in situ.

    • Main Results:

    • Natural transformation of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus to prototrophy was successfully achieved in situ.
    • Transformation frequency increased with river temperature, with no transfer observed below 10°C.
    • Recipient culture age influenced in situ transformation frequencies, unlike laboratory conditions.
    • Successful in situ transformation of bacteria within the natural epilithic biofilm and plasmid pQM17 was confirmed.

    Conclusions:

    • This research provides the first direct evidence of natural transformation occurring in situ within a natural bacterial community.
    • Environmental factors, particularly temperature, significantly impact bacterial natural transformation in riverine ecosystems.
    • In situ natural transformation is a viable mechanism for genetic exchange in indigenous microbial populations, with implications for microbial evolution and adaptation.