Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM)
Interaction between bacteria and phages
The images of interacting bacteria and phages created a better understanding of the science involved.
”Negative staining and thin section imaging of micro-organisms and clostridiaphages
The problem
A microbial developments company involved in the manufacture of microbial products. The company were developing a bacteriaphage that would kill damaging bacteria; they wished to develop marketing material to demonstrate the action of their product.
The solution
The Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) is routinely used to determine the internal structure of materials at very high magnification. Our biologists prepared an active mixture of bacteria and bacteriaphages, and then used the TEM to visualise and examine their interactions at various stages.
The outcome
Our scientists identified cultures demonstrating unaffected bacteria with flagella, phage particles and affected bacteria.
The benefits
- The images generated from the study were used to create interesting marketing materials which had an impact on potential buyers and users of the company's products.
- The images created a better understanding of the science involved and an accessible way of presenting the information.
- The study provided conclusive evidence of the mode of action.
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