Use of the BacTiter-Glo™ Microbial Cell Viability Assay to Study Bacterial Attachment in Biofilm Formation
1North Dakota State University, 2Loyola University Chicago
Publication Date: 2008
Abstract
Biofilms are complex, sessile communities of bacteria that form on solid surfaces or at air-liquid interfaces. The formation of such biofilms follows a path of controlled steps, the first being attachment to the surface. To rigorously study the physiological changes that allow the bacteria to perform this first step, a quantitative assay that accurately determines the biomass of surface-attached bacteria is required. Here, we describe the use of the BacTiter-Glo™ Microbial Cell Viability Assay to measure biofilm attachment. This 96-well-format assay monitors intracellular ATP concentrations. Since bacterial cells maintain a relatively constant intracellular ATP concentration, this assay provides a reproducible relative measure of attached cells.
Promega Notes 99, 19–21.
Learn about the chemistry of the bioluminescent reaction and its use in a broad range of assays.
