I am interested in enumeration and identification of bacteria from water samples using flow cytometry. I recently attempted to determine the limit of detection on a FACSCalibur for enumeration of E.coli cells suspended in MilliQ water (filtered distilled water). The experiment was carried out on an overnight broth culture culture of E.coli stained with SYTO9. MilliQ water was used as sheath fluid. I was able to get down to determining the concentration of 500 E.coli cells/ml where below this number results became inaccurate. I was looking to enumerate down to about 100 E.coli cells/ml and I was wondering if anyone has done this type of experiment before and if they were able to accurately detect less than 500 cells/ml. Am I asking too much from the FACSCalibur and/or are there any secrets to improving the limit of detection? Input from anyone on this matter would be greatly appreciated. Daniel Hoefel Email: daniel.hoefel@sawater.sa.gov.au
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Wed Apr 03 2002 - 11:57:26 EST