Fluorescence Micrograph of Phage-quantum Dot Complexes Bound to E. coli Cells (IMAGE)

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

Fluorescence Micrograph of Phage-quantum Dot Complexes Bound to E. coli Cells

Caption

This fluorescence micrograph shows phage-quantum dot complexes (bright spots) bound to E. coli cells (cylindrical shapes). The NCI/NIST method of tagging cells with quantum dots can be used to identify bacteria much faster than conventional methods. The fluorescence signal is strong and stable for hours, enabling scientists to count the number of phage viruses bound to a cell.

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NCI/NIST

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