Enabling discrimination of closely related strains
New and older publications illustrate the ongoing application of Phenotype MicroArray (PM) technology in discrimination of closely related bacterial strains. In this newsletter, we present five papers from the primary literature illustrating successful use of PM technology to examine relatedness among strains of E. coli, S. enterica, and V. cholerae
Complete genome sequence and comparative metabolic profiling of the prototypical enteroaggregative Escherichia coli strain 042.
The authors relate both metabolic and sensitivity phenotypes identified by PM tests with genetic differences identified by comparative genomics. Hypothesis generation was facilitated by integrating PM data with other data types.
Phenotype MicroArray in the metabolic characterisation of Salmonella serotypes Agona, Enteritidis, Give, Hvittingfoss, Infantis, Newport and Typhimurium.
Substrates were identified that could discriminate seven serotypes or within a single serotype. “Thus, the PM technique is a useful tool for identifying potential differential markers on a metabolic basis that could be used for epidemiological surveillance.”
Altered utilization of N-acetyl-D-galactosamine by Escherichia coli O157:H7 from the 2006 spinach outbreak.
Phenotype MicroArray testing revealed that isolates from the 2006 spinach outbreak cannot use N-acetyl-D-galactosamine or D-galactosamine. The phenotype was associated with a single base change in the agaF gene.
Detection of Salmonella enterica subpopulations by phenotype microarray antibiotic resistance patterns.
The authors show that subpopulation differences due to genetic drift can be identified by PM technology.
Genomic and phenotypic diversity of coastal Vibrio cholerae strains is linked to environmental factors.
Genomic and phenotypic data are interpreted in light of the environmental parameters present at the time of sample collection. These analyses lead to interesting correlations and hypotheses of V. cholerae coastal biology.
Phenotype MicroArray Technology
Biolog’s Phentoype MicroArray technology enables researchers to evaluate nearly 2000 phenotypes of a microbial cell in a single experiment. This integrated system of cellular assays, instrumentation and bioinformatics software provides cellular knowledge that complements molecular information, helping you interpret and find the relevant aspects in massive amounts of gene expression or proteomics data. Through comprehensive and precise quantitation of phenotypes, researchers are able to obtain an unbiased perspective of the effect on cells of genetic differences, environmental change, exposure to chemicals or drugs, and more.
