Bacterial Identification
&
Fatty Acid Analysis Laboratory
The Sherlock System
Developed by MIDI Inc uses gas chromatography to
identify over 140 separate fatty acids. The fatty acid profile is
matched to a library of 700+ bacterial species representing over
180 genera. In addition to bacteria, we have
the capacity to identify yeasts, some VA
mycorrhizae and some fungi. We can also
generate fatty acid profiles for other plant,
animal and microbial samples. Information
on the extraction protocol and fatty acid
analysis is described in MIDI Technical note #101, posted on the
MIDI web site. Groups of organisms,
or samples of any material containing fatty
acids can be compared using dendrograms and/or 2-D plots.
The Biolog system
Identifies and/or
characterizes bacterial and yeast strains
bycarbon source utilization. This
system tests the ability of a microorganism
to utilize 95 different carbon sources.
This results in a characteristic pattern
that constitutes a "metabolic fingerprint"
of the strain. This pattern is then
compared to a database of known organisms,
and a "best match" for the unknown
is given. The database is comprised
of 800+ entries. The system can generate
dendrograms from the data for strain comparison.
The Riboprinter
From Dupont
Qualicon, uses genetic fingerprinting
for straincomparison and identification.
Strains can be identified and/or characterized
by analyzing the ribosomal DNA banding pattern.
Digestions are typically done with EcoRI,
PSTI or PVUII. However almost any
restriction enzyme can be used. The
system is fully automated and results for
up to eight samples are completed in less
than eight hours.
For additional information contact:
Ellen R. Dickstein
Plant Pathology Department
P.O. Box 110680
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL 32611 USA
Office hours are 7 am. to 4 pm EST.
Phone: (352) 846-1984
FAX: (352) 392-6532
E-Mail: erd@ufl.edu
Mailing address for UPS, Federal Ex, and couriers other than U.S. mail:
Ellen R. Dickstein
Plant Pathology Department
1453 Fifield Hall
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL 32611 US