Welcome to my webpage on the predatory bacteria Bdellovibrio. Within this page you can explore the many unique aspects of this unusual and important micro-organism.
The genus Bdellovibrio has four known species, presently: B. bacteriovorus, B. stolpii, B. starrii, and one other that is presently unnamed. Each of these bacteria are obligate parasites, utilizing Gram-negative bacteria in order to reproduce, in a process that eventually kills its host. Due to the nature of its propagation, it has a unique biphasic life cycle, as well as environmental requirements. It has been found to be quite abundant in nature, and in addition to the aquatic environment, it is also found in sewage and in soils.
Bdellovibrio is a flagellated prokaryote, and has a rod-like shape. Just like its own prey, it is also a Gram-negative bacterium. The dimensions of the cell are approximately 0.20 µm by 0.80 µm, but this varies from species to species as well as over the duration of its life cycle.
It has been estimated that Bdellovibrio requires a concentration of 1x10ex4 prey cells per mL in order to grow. Because of its heavy demand for other bacteria, it has been implicated as a regulator of bacterial populations. It may have strong ecological implications in this regard, and this genus alone may play a role akin to that of marine viruses.
In addition to its ecological role, Bdellovibrio has been found to be quite useful in both research, as a model predatory bacterium, and the food industry, where investigations are underway to make use of it in the prevention of food spoilage.
Please follow the above links if you would like to learn more about this organism... |
