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Cell Microsystems Acquires Fluxion Biosciences to Broaden Cell Analysis Product and Services Portfolio. Read the Press Release

At Fluxion, we’re passionate about delivering cell-based solutions that facilitate the transformation of research discoveries into new ways to diagnose and treat patients. By characterizing molecular and cellular mechanisms of disease, Fluxion’s platforms help bridge the translational medicine gap, enabling rapid advances in disease research, drug discovery, and the development of diagnostic tests.

Mutant Screens

and biofilm research

Spontaneous bacterial and fungal mutations can be the beginning of disastrous conditions for both nosocomial- and community-derived infections. These spontaneous mutants have the potential to quickly become resistant to antibacterial and antifungal medications, forming biofilms much faster than wildtype bacteria and fungi. On the other hand, induced mutants via genetic engineering and recombination allows bacteria to be manipulated, producing beneficial results.

The BioFlux system allows for analysis of these mutants. The visualization and manipulation of the microbiological mutants paves way for new discoveries in the fields of pharmacology, biotechnology, medicine, and more.

mrsa-3000-1

In this experiment, the BioFlux was used for analysis of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)-USA300 biofilm growths. Mutants show clear differences in growth under these conditions (b), as quantified via fluorescence (a) (Malhotra-Kumar et al., 2015).

hyphae-candida

Hyphae formation in Candida albicans mutants was analyzed with a BioFlux imaging system (Mitchell et al., 2012).

Key BioFlux Advantages For Mutant Screen Studies

  • Using controlled, shear flow provides insight for how knockout mutants form biofilms under physiologically relevant conditions and changing environments

  • Induce mutations in pathogenic bacteria to examine the dangers of antibiotic resistance, and in turn, develop new solutions to combat biofilms

  • View competitions between natural flora and mutated, infectious microorganisms side by side in a microfluidic channel

  • Add and observe the effects of compounds on mutated microorganisms, easily manipulating the conditions of the assay

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