This innovation is a coupled fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) and fluorescent staining technology for purifying (removing cells from sampling matrices), separating (based on size, density, morphology, and live versus dead), and concentrating cells (spores, prokaryotic, eukaryotic) from an environmental sample.
Currently, the state of the art is limited to the sorting of larger eukaryotic cells (e.g., yeast, mammalian). Over the past decade, cell sorting technologies have evolved significantly and sensitivity levels have increased remarkably, rendering bacterial cell sorting a feasible concept. In parallel, optimized protocols for broad-spectrum fluorescence staining of bacterial cells and spores have been established, most of which are based on nucleic acid-intercalating dyes.
Smaller DNA-intercalating dyes, such as SYTO-9, permeate the intact membrane of living, viable cells and spores and upon excitation with white light, emit a detectable signal such as the green spectra emitted by DNAbound SYTO-9. A larger DNA-intercalating dye such as 7- amino actinomycin (7-AAD), which is unable to permeate the membranes of healthy, viable cells and spores and thus only able to access the DNA of dead or dying cells and spores through compromised membranes, is also applied to the sample. This larger dye is engineered to fluoresce red spectra upon excitation. Ergo, the membranes of healthy, viable bacterial cells and spores preclude the infiltration of the larger red dyes (which have a greater affinity for DNA than the smaller green dyes) and as a result, their DNA fluoresces green. The DNA of dead or dying cells and spores fluoresces red as a result of the high-affinity binding and of the larger red dyes. This motif makes possible the ability to sort and segregate live from dead bacterial cells and spores via fluorescence staining.
This technology directly contributes to NASA missions as it focuses on the separation, purification, and concentration of cells or spores from a given spacecraft or associated facility sample. Coupling live/dead fluorescence dyes and flow cytometry enhances the resolving power of any attempt at predicting the microbial genetic that actually poses a forward contamination threat. The capability to provide an account of the living organisms present on spacecraft surfaces, to the exclusion of the expired population, will facilitate much more accurate predictive risk assessments of forward contamination on missions with challenging planetary protection issues. A specific account of only the living microbial population will also allow for immediate feedback to a project as to the success of cleaning, microbial reduction, and general housekeeping processes.
This work was done by James N. Benardini, Myron T. La Duc, Rochelle Diamond, and Josh Verceles of Caltech for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. NPO-48176
This Brief includes a Technical Support Package (TSP).
Fluorescence-Activated Cell Sorting of Live Versus Dead Bacterial Cells and Spores
(reference NPO-48176) is currently available for download from the TSP library.
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Overview
The document titled "Fluorescence-Activated Cell Sorting of Live Versus Dead Bacterial Cells and Spores" (NPO-48176) is a Technical Support Package prepared under the sponsorship of NASA, specifically by researchers from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and the California Institute of Technology. It focuses on the methodology and applications of fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) to differentiate between live and dead bacterial cells and spores.
The primary objective of the research is to develop a reliable technique for sorting bacterial cells based on their viability, which is crucial for various scientific and industrial applications, including microbiology, biotechnology, and space exploration. The document outlines the experimental setup, including the use of specific fluorescent markers that allow for the identification of live cells versus dead cells. The sorting process is illustrated through dot plot matrices and microscopy images, demonstrating the effectiveness of the FACS technique in achieving high purity in sorted samples.
Key figures in the document include graphical representations of the sorting process, such as dot plots that depict the gating strategy used to distinguish between live (R1 gate) and dead cells (R2 gate). Additionally, epifluorescence microscopy images provide visual evidence of the pre- and post-sort samples, showcasing the successful separation of live and dead cells.
The document also includes a traditional full-length 1.5Kb universal 16S PCR analysis of Bacillus subtilis cells, further emphasizing the application of molecular techniques in conjunction with FACS for characterizing bacterial populations. This combination of methods enhances the understanding of microbial viability and diversity.
Overall, the Technical Support Package serves as a comprehensive resource for researchers and practitioners interested in the applications of FACS in microbial studies. It highlights the potential of this technology to advance research in various fields, including astrobiology, where understanding microbial life is essential for future space missions. The document concludes by providing contact information for further inquiries and assistance related to the research and technology discussed.
In summary, this document encapsulates significant advancements in the field of cell sorting, emphasizing the importance of distinguishing live and dead bacterial cells for scientific research and practical applications, while also acknowledging the support of NASA in facilitating such innovative work.
