Human Pancreatic Islet Isolation: Part I: Digestion and Collection of Pancreatic Tissue
Department of Surgery, University of Illinois, Chicago
Achieving high quality and appropriate quantity of human islets is one of the prominent prerequisites for successful islet transplantation. In this video, we describe step by step the procedures for human pancreatic islet isolation (part I: digestion and collection of pancreatic tissue) using a modified automated method.
Colon Ascendens Stent Peritonitis (CASP) - a Standardized Model for Polymicrobial Abdominal Sepsis
Department of Surgery, University of Greifswald
The Colon Ascendens Stent Peritonitis (CASP) is a highly standardized model for polymicrobial abdominal sepsis in rodents. This article describes the surgical procedure of CASP. The CASP model and its variants allow the systematic investigation of various problems concerning the subject of sepsis.
Electricity-Free, Sequential Nucleic Acid and Protein Isolation
1CUBRC, Inc., 2Department of Microbiology and Immunology, State University of New York at Buffalo, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
A tool and chemistries are described to sequentially isolate nucleic acids followed by proteins from a sample without the need for electricity. The tool consists of a sorbent held within a transfer pipette while the isolation chemistries are based on solid-phase extraction principles. The isolated macromolecules can be analyzed by immuno-based and PCR-based assays.
A 1.5 Hour Procedure for Identification of Enterococcus Species Directly from Blood Cultures
1Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Cente, 2Pasadena, CA, Southern California Permanente Medical Group, 3Detroit, Detroit Medical Center, 4Woburn, MA, AdvanDx
A rapid protocol for the direct identification of Enterococcus faecalis and other Enterococcus species from a positive blood culture using a Peptide Nucleic Acid fluorescent in situ hybridization assay (PNA FISH).
Metabolic Pathway Confirmation and Discovery Through 13C-labeling of Proteinogenic Amino Acids
1Department of Energy, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Washington University, 2Department of Biology, Washington University, 3Department of Energy, Environmental and Chemical Engineering and Department of Biology, Washington University
13C-isotope labeling is a useful technique for determining the cell central metabolism for various types of microorganisms. After cells have been cultured with a specific labeled substrate, GC-MS measurement can reveal functional metabolic pathways based on unique labeling patterns in proteinogenic amino acids.
Candida albicans Biofilm Chip (CaBChip) for High-throughput Antifungal Drug Screening
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at San Antonio, 2Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio
We have developed a high-density microarray platform consisting of 3D nano-biofilms of C. albicans called CaBChip. The susceptibility profile of drugs tested on a CaBChip is comparable to the conventional 96-well plate model, suggesting that the fungal chip is ideally suited for true high-throughput screening of antifungal drugs.
Collection, Isolation and Enrichment of Naturally Occurring Magnetotactic Bacteria from the Environment
1School of Earth Sciences, The Ohio State University, 2School of Environment & Natural Resources, The Ohio State University, 3Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
We demonstrate a method to collect magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) that can be applied to natural waters. MTB can be isolated and enriched from sediment samples using a relatively simple setup that takes advantage of the bacteria's natural magnetism. Isolated MTB can then be examined in detail using both light and electron microscopy.
Chronic Salmonella Infected Mouse Model
Department of Medicine, University of Rochester
Establish a chronic bacterial infected mouse model with persistent Salmonella typhimurium colonization in intestine for 27 weeks.
Diagnostic Necropsy and Selected Tissue and Sample Collection in Rats and Mice
1Research Animal Diagnostic Services, Charles River, 2Research Models and Services, Charles River, 3Department of Comparative Medicine, University of Washington
This article describes the procedures for conducting a basic postmortem examination of a mouse or rat, and the collection of basic organs, as well as more challenging sample types from for histological, microbiological, and PCR evaluation.
Oral Transmission of Listeria monocytogenes in Mice via Ingestion of Contaminated Food
Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of Kentucky
This paper describes a novel method for oral infection of mice using Listeria monocytogenes-contaminated food. The protocol can readily be adapted for use with other food borne bacterial pathogens.
In vivo and in vitro Studies of Adaptor-clathrin Interaction
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Colorado State University
Clathrin-mediated endocytosis depends on adaptor proteins that coordinate cargo selection and clathrin coat assembly. Here we describe procedures to study adaptor-clathrin physical interaction and live cell imaging approaches using as a model the yeast endocytic adaptor protein Sla1p.
Direct Detection of the Acetate-forming Activity of the Enzyme Acetate Kinase
Department of Genetics and Biochemistry, Clemson University
A method for the determination of acetate kinase activity is described. This assay utilizes a direct reaction for determining enzyme activity and kinetics of acetate kinase in the acetate-forming direction with different phosphoryl acceptors. Furthermore, this method can be utilized for assaying other acetyl phosphate or acetyl-CoA utilizing enzymes.
Staphylococcus aureus Growth using Human Hemoglobin as an Iron Source
Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical School
Here we describe a growth assay for Staphylococcus aureus using hemoglobin as the sole source of available nutrient iron. This assay establishes the role of bacterial factors involved in hemoglobin-derived iron acquisition.
The Insect Galleria mellonella as a Powerful Infection Model to Investigate Bacterial Pathogenesis
Oral and intra haemocolic infection of larvae of the greater wax moth Galleria mellonella is described. This insect can be used to study virulence factors of entomopathogenic as well as mammalian opportunistic bacteria. Rearing of the insects, methods of infection and examples of in vivo analysis are described.
Visualizing Bacteria in Nematodes using Fluorescent Microscopy
Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison
To study the mutualism between Xenorhabdus bacteria and Steinernema nematodes, methods were developed to monitor bacterial presence and location within nematodes. The experimental approach, which can be applied to other systems, entails engineering bacteria to express the green fluorescent protein and visualizing, using fluorescence microscopy bacteria within the transparent nematode.
Rearing and Injection of Manduca sexta Larvae to Assess Bacterial Virulence
Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison
The method described here utilizes direct injection of entomopathogenic bacteria into the hemocoel of Manduca sexta insect larvae. M. sexta is a commercially available and well-studied insect. Thus, this method represents a simple approach to analyzing host-bacterial interactions from the perspective of one or both partners.
A Visual Assay to Monitor T6SS-mediated Bacterial Competition
We describe a qualitative assay to monitor bacterial competition mediated by the Pseudomonas aeruginosa type VI secretion system (T6SS). The assay relies on the survival/killing of Escherichia coli target cells carrying a lacZ-reporter. This technique is adjustable to assess the bactericidal/bacteriostasis activity of T6SS-proficient microorganisms.
Isolation of Native Soil Microorganisms with Potential for Breaking Down Biodegradable Plastic Mulch Films Used in Agriculture
1Biology Department, Western Washington University, 2Washington State University Northwestern Research and Extension Center, 3Department of Plant and Soil Science, Texas Tech University
Plastic films labeled "biodegradable" are commercially available for agricultural use as mulches. Tillage represents an attractive disposal method, but degradation under field conditions is poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to develop methods for isolating native soil fungi and bacteria that colonize plastic mulch films after field burial.
