Microbial Life > Research Methods

MLER Methods:

(A Novice's Guide to Research Techniques Used in Microbiology)

Created by George Rice, Montana State University


Panel showing sampling in, and a virus from Yellowstone Park.
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Left; Rendering of a lymphocyte from Department of Microbiology and Immunology, East Carolina University School of Medicine, Middle; Culture plate, Right; Cryo Electron Micrograph (created in Jack Johnson's lab at Scripps Institute) of a thermal virus discovered in Yellowstone by this web page author, Montana State University.

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Research Subject Headings:

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CTD profiling package is used to collect discrete water samples at specific depths throughout the water column.
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Conductivity, Temperature, Depth (CTD) rosette profiling package is used to collect discrete water samples at specific depths throughout the water column
Environmental Sampling: A collection of pages that include information about gathering data on physical characteristics of a field area, including turbidity and dissolved oxygen.
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Measuring pH and Electrical Conductivity
Winkler Method for Measuring Dissolved Oxygen
Measuring Turbidity Using a Secchi Disk
pH and Electrical Conductivity
Stream Gaging
Stable Isotope Primer and Some Hydrological Applications
Hydrological Tracers

Mamoth Hot Springs in Yellowstone National Park.
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Image of Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park, in the winter. (image from Bruce Fouke's lab)
Biogeochemical Methods: This collection includes biogeochemical techniques such as ion chromatography and primary productivity; it also features a case study of the Yellowstone geothermal system.
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Case Study: Mammoth Terraced Architecture
Measuring Dissolved and Particulate Organic Carbon
Measuring Primary Productivity Using Radiolabeled Carbon
Ion Chromatography

Circular STIV genome with promoter regions marked.
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Circular 17Kb genome of the STIV thermal virus with promoter regions marked. (figure by George Rice, Montana State University)
Genomics: This collection includes resources regarding basic information on genomics, including a short description of transcription, translation, and modern genomics, as well as genomic techniques such as DNA extraction and PCR.
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Tardigrade
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Scanning electron micrograph of Tardigrada, or water bear. Image Credit: Rick Gillis and Roger J. Haro Department of Biology University of Wisconsin - La Crosse.
Microscopy: A collection of information regarding cellular staining techniques and general types of microscopy.
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Basic Cellular Staining
Fluorescent Microscopy
Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization (FISH)
Gram Staining
Viability and Quantification Staining
Scanning Electron Microscopy--from Geochemical Instrumentation and Analysis Module
micro*scope- a web site that provides images and descriptive information about microbes and provides guides to related material elsewhere on the internet

Image of Angle Terrace at Mammoth Hot Springs.
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Image of Angel Terrace at Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park. (image from Bruce Fouke's lab)
Integrated Research: NSF funded projects featuring cutting edge research showcase multiple investigative techniques. Many projects like those in the MO program are featured here and in the broader NSDL. These programs are prime examples of integrated research and their resultant outreach efforts can readily be used by educators in the classroom.
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Case Study: Mammoth Terraced Architecture