In <CJ9ptA.25n at freenet.carleton.ca>, ah645 at FreeNet.Carleton.CA (J.C Imbeault) writes:
> I'm a new graduate student and as my research project I'm studying
>filamentation in an archaebacterium. It seems that the phenotype is due to the
>loss of one of it's megaplasmids.
Which archaeabacterium are you using? A halophile?
We (and others) have found some methanogens can grow as filamentous forms, but that this is due to changes in Ca and other minerals rather than a genetic alteration.
I'd be interested in finding out if there are other associated phenotypes, eg loss of flagellation.
E-mail me directly if you want references on the filamentous methanogens.
>PS. My mutant seems to start off with a normal phenotype and then filaments.
>However I never obtain a 100% filamentous population. I'm trying to find if the
>filamentous phenotype is terminal (lethal), however I don't have recourse to a
>cell sorter so I can't just plate or otherwise grow up just filamentous cells.
>Does anyone have any ideas how I could check to see if the filamentous portion
>of my population is dying?
You could try to use a vital stain and check by light microscopy which cells are alive.
Good Luck.
- David Faguy
Dept. of Microbiology
Queen's University
Kingston, Canada
Disclaimer: My employers are not responsible - Wait! I don't have any employers! - never mind.
