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Teykia Lewis
Fisk University

Subject Listing - Physics/Astronomy
Advisor: Dr. Weijie Lu

Thursday, Oral Session 2, Presentation 3, Robinson Hall 228

MORPHOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF B. STEAROTHERMOPHILUS, R. RUBRUM AND M. ROSEUS USING ATOMIC FORCE MICROSCOPY: CO2 STRESS OBSERVATION

The application of physical stress to microorganisms is a widely used method to observe change in cell morphology. Furthermore, in certain species stress prompts the process of sporulation. To survive, microorganisms have evolved physiological mechanisms to tolerate extreme condition. The progression and method of their natural defenses are indeed significant threats as biological terrorism escalates. In this investigation, Bacillus stearothermophilus, Rhodospirillum rubrum and Micrococcus roseus were stressed thermally. In addition, B. Stearothermophilus was stressed atmospherically, and via pH; R. rubrum was stressed nutritionally; and M. roseus was stressed atmospherically. In the present study, we observed changes in the bacterial surface morphology attributed in response to induced environmental stressors.

Advisor: Dr. Weijie Lu, Research Associate Professor, Surface Science Group, Department of Physics, Fisk University, Nashville, TN