Microbial response to environmental gradients in a ceramic-based diffusion system.

A solid, porous matrix was used to establish steady-state concentration profiles upon which microbial responses to concentration gradients of nutrients or antimicrobial agents could be quantified. This technique relies on the development of spatially defined concentration gradients across a ceramic plate resulting from the diffusion of solutes through the porous ceramic matrix. A two-dimensional, finite-element numerical transport model was used to predict the establishment of concentration profiles, after which concentration profiles of conservative tracers were quantified fluorometrically and chemically at the solid-liquid interface to verify the simulated profiles. Microbial growth responses to nutrient, hypochloride, and antimicrobial concentration gradients were then quantified using epifluorescent or scanning confocal laser microscopy. The observed microbial response verified the establishment and maintenance of stable concentration gradients along the solid-liquid interface. These results indicate the ceramic diffusion system has potential for the isolation of heterogeneous microbial communities as well as for testing the efficacy of antimicrobial agents. In addition, the durability of the solid matrix allowed long-term investigations, making this approach preferable to conventional gel-stabilized systems that are impeded by erosion as well as expansion or shrinkage of the gel.

Electrochemical surface analysis with the scanning droplet cell.

A new electrochemical device, the scanning droplet cell, is presented. Small electrolyte droplets are positioned on the sample surface and enable a spatially resolved surface analysis or modification. The droplet is simply held by its surface tension and, therefore, no surface pretreatment is necessary. According to the conventional 3-electrode arrangement all common potentiostatic and galvanostatic techniques, e.g. impedance spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, or current transients of potentiostatic steps, are possible.

Solubilization of membrane-bound adenylate cyclase of isolated rat adrenal cortex cells.

The membrane-bound adenylase cyclase (ATP pyrosphosphate-lyase (cyclizing), EC 4.6.1.1) of isolated rat adrenal cortex cells can be rendered soluble using 0.02 M Lubrol 12A9. The solubilized enzyme can be filtered through Milipore filters with pores 0.22 micron in diameter. Using gel filtration, on Sephadex G-200, adenylate cyclase activity was eluted with a distribution coefficient of 0.139, whereas on Sephadex G-100 the activity was eluted in the excluded volume. Half-maximum activation of the postulated guanyl nucleotide regulator site of adenylate was achieved with 5'-guanylyl-imidodiphosphate at a concentration of 1 . 10(-6)M. In contrast, however, using intact isolated rat adrenal cortex cells the guanyl nucleotide regulator site could not be stimulated by 5'-guanylyl-imidodiphosphate.