Use of magnetic beads for Gram staining of bacteria in aqueous suspension

A Gram staining technique was developed using monodisperse magnetic beads i n concentrating bacteria in suspension for downstream application, The tech nique does not require heat fixation of organisms, electrical power, or a m icroscope. Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria were identified macrosc opically based on the colour of the suspension. The bacteria concentrated o n magnetic beads may also be identified microscopically. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.