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UP: Umweltphysik

UP 14: Poster: Neuartige Messverfahren in der Umweltphysik

UP 14.2: Poster

Tuesday, March 14, 2006, 14:00–16:00, C

Combination of confocal Raman microscopy with optical tweezers to create a databank of microbial samples — •Elzbieta Mielcarek, Ralf Pätzold, Maike Keuntje, and Angelika Anders-vonAhlften — Institut für Biophysik, Universität Hannover, Herrenhäuser Str. 2, 30419 Hannover

Raman spectroscopy provides information about molecular vibrations usefull for sample identifications. We enhanced a confocal Raman microscope with optical tweezer concept to study anaerobically ammonium oxidizing bacteria which take part in biological nitrogen transformation. The so-called anammox process, in which ammonium is oxidized with nitrite to nitrogen gas, is a promising alternative to current methods of nutrient nitrogen removal from wastewater. The research involves the construction and calibration of a single beam optical tweezer laser trap apparatus and the use of this trap to obtain spectra of pure bacteria cultures. Strongly focused laser beams capable of physically trapping and manipulating small particles enable us to observe specific bacteria on a longer time scale. Furthermore, it is possible to move them to distinct places to carry out subsequent observations. We like to create a universal database of spectra of different bacteria in order to acquire the possibility to identify signals from heterogeneous biofilms.