In vivo observation of cell division of anaerobic hyperthermophiles by using a high-intensity dark-field microscope

To study growth and cell division of anaerobic hyperthermophilic archaea in vivo, a cultivation technique using glass capillaries was developed. At te mperatures of 90 to 98 degrees C, at least 10 successive cell divisions of Pyrodictium abyssi TAG 11 were documented. Cells divide by binary fission. Visualized under a modified dark-field microscope, the formation of cannula e, which finally connected all cells, was observed. The cannulae elongated at 1.0 to 1.5 mu m/min and reached final lengths of between 30 and 150 mu m . A "snapping division"-like mode of cell fission was discovered for Thermo proteus tenux.