Flow Cytometric Study of Ciliate Physiology

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The PIs propose to use a flow cytometer to gather information on the feeding, growth, and reproduction patterns of ciliated protozoa in varying environments. The information thus generated could have ultimate use in wastewater treatment facilities as well as serve as a model system for other similar microorganisms in various ecological systems. Protozoa are unicellular, eucaryotic microorganisms that ingest and digest bacteria. Flow cytometry can not only provide large scale statistical information but also information on the internal structure of single cells. The specific objectives of the project include: (1) Development of an index or measure of the physiological state of a single cell in a constant environment (2) Extension of (1) above for changing environments (3) Development of a model of suspension feeding by cells of different physiological states that will be applicable to situations where the number density as well as the composition of the population of particles fed upon vary. (4) Development of a mathematical model that will allow the prediction of the joint distributions of cellular properties in a ciliate population and how these distributions change in response to changes in environmental conditions. Both PIs are well respected by their peers and the facilities are ideal for this work.