The Genus Xenorhabdus: Entomopathogenic Bacteria for Use in Teaching General Microbiology
David Bermudes, Kenneth Nealson, Raymond Akhurst 1993 Journal of College Science Teaching v23 n2 p105-108
This paper presents a brief description of insect-pathogenic bacteria in Xenorhabdus and their life cycle, followed by a protocol that can be easily adapted for classroom teaching. Xenorhabdus is of current interest due to its insecticidal activity, bioluminescence, phase variation, and other characteristics. As a teaching tool, the Xenorhabdus/nematode system offers an excellent method for examining pathogenesis and symbiosis, while the bacteria themselves may be useful for demonstrating many separate biological properties to students of general microbiology.
