Microbiology and flow cytometry

This material was originally published in the Purdue Cytometry CD-ROM Series.

Flow Cytometry and Microbiology

Autofluorescence of cyanobacteria.

Jaume Comas-Riu
Servei Cientifico-Tecnics
University of Barcelona
c/ Lluis Sole I Sabaris, 1-3
08028 Barcelona, Spain

email: jaume@giga.sct.ub.es

Florencio Carretero
Izasa, S.A.
Arago, 90.
08015 Barcelona, Spain
email: fcarretero@spain.ilww.com

Data Examples
The autofluorescence of a mixture of two cyanobacteria was analyzed using the Coulter EPICS ELITE flow cytometer. The mixture included long filaments of Nostoc and Anabaena. Fluorescence resulting from excitation with the 488 nm laser (15 mW) was collected using a 575 nm BP filter (PMT3) and a 675 nm BP filter (PMT4). The 575 nm fluorescence was associated with carothenoid pigments while the 675 nm fluorescence was due to chlorophyll. Using autofluorescence, the two populations in the mixture were distinguished (Figure 1) and sorted (Figure 2 and Figure 3).

Figure 1. Using autofluorescence, the two populations of Cyanobacteria could be distinguished.

Figure 2. Nostoc sorted from the cyanobacteria mixture.

Figure 3. Anabaena sorted from the cyanobacteria mixture.

Back to Flow Cytometry and Microbiology Introductory Page