Identification of Microbes

[Seto's Darkness]

Can you give me examples of methods for microbe identification? (i.e. Gram staining, G+C content, etc). Thanks

[mkwaje]

Well, there are steps in microbial identification and there are subjects taking entire semesters dealing with just this. Classical methods of identification start off at gram staining so you'll have knowledage on how to proceed. For identification procedures, try reading on Bergey's Manual of Determinative Bacteriology. You'll see all the tests and microbe characteristics there. Nowadays, identification using rapid kits are very common and are made affordable. These are especially useful, but not limited to, for screening of specific microorganisms.

[MrMistery]

yeah, currently when we wanna identify a bacterium we just take one of those kits and follow their instructions; then by using a determination key, based on the results we can detect what bacterium we are dealing with.
My professor used to make fun of those kits by saying that they are so simple to use his grandmother can be a microbiologist...

[lara]

to gather the general features simpe,grams,acid fast ,spore and capsule staining will help a lot

[Brock]

Could you give the web site of the kits?

Thank you!

[lara]

try sigma 4 the kits of the stains

[biochan]

after gram staining you should apply IMVIC tests and other biochemical tests in order to identify strain. if you search internet for IMVIC and identification keywords endless results will appear :D

[supsamuel]

I've found that this website is a great resource for microbial identification. It looks like it's still under construction, but it has some pretty cool resources for microbial identification such as identification methods, keys, an identification database, etc.

http://www.microbeid.com

Best Regards,
Sam