CCD-MONITORING OF BIOLUMINESCENCE DURING THE INDUCTION OF THE CELL WALL-DEFICIENT, L-FORM STATE OF A GENETICALLY-MODIFIED STRAIN OF PSEUDOMONAS-SYRINGAE PV PHASEOLICOLA

Bioluminescence from developing L-form colonies of the plant pathogen, Pseudomonas syringae pv. phaseolicola, was monitored using the enhanc ed light-detecting capabilities of a charge-coupled device. During L-f orm induction, the bacteria entered a prolonged period during which th e level of light output and hence metabolic activity, was very low. A relatively small number of highly bioluminescent L-form colonies were then observed to develop against a background of non-bioluminescent ba cteria. When these colonies were sub-cultured and examined microscopic ally, typical L-form morphology was observed and continued high biolum inescence was detectable from derived colonies.