Synchronization of E. coli Bacteria Moving in Coupled Microwells.

Synchronization plays a crucial role in the dynamics of living organisms. Uncovering the mechanism behind it requires an understanding of individual biological oscillators and the coupling forces between them. Here, a single-cell assay is developed that studies rhythmic behavior in the motility of E.

Direct observation of a crescent-shape chromosome in expanded Bacillus subtilis cells.

Bacterial chromosomes are folded into tightly regulated three-dimensional structures to ensure proper transcription, replication, and segregation of the genetic information. Direct visualization of chromosomal shape within bacterial cells is hampered by cell-wall confinement and the optical diffraction limit. Here, we combine cell-shape manipulation strategies, high-resolution fluorescence microscopy techniques, and genetic engineering to visualize the shape of unconfined bacterial chromosome in real-time in live Bacillus subtilis cells that are expanded in volume.

Microwell-enhanced optical rapid antibiotic susceptibility testing of single bacteria.

Bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics present an increasing burden on healthcare. To address this emerging crisis, novel rapid antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) methods are eagerly needed. Here, we present an optical AST technique that can determine the bacterial viability within 1 h down to a resolution of single bacteria.

MukBEF-dependent chromosomal organization in widened .

The bacterial chromosome is spatially organized through protein-mediated compaction, supercoiling, and cell-boundary confinement. Structural Maintenance of Chromosomes (SMC) complexes are a major class of chromosome-organizing proteins present throughout all domains of life. Here, we study the role of the SMC complex MukBEF in chromosome architecture and segregation.