Probing the mechanistic principles of bacterial cell division with super-resolution microscopy

Curr Opin Microbiol. 2018 Jun:43:84-91. doi: 10.1016/j.mib.2017.12.005. Epub 2018 Jan 12.

Abstract

Bacterial cell division takes place almost entirely below the diffraction limit of light microscopy, making super-resolution microscopy ideally suited to interrogating this process. I review how super-resolution microscopy has advanced our understanding of bacterial cell division. I discuss the mechanistic implications of these findings, propose physical models for cell division compatible with recent data, and discuss key outstanding questions and future research directions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Bacteria / cytology
  • Bacteria / ultrastructure*
  • Bacterial Physiological Phenomena*
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Bacterial Proteins / ultrastructure
  • Cell Division*
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins / genetics
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins / ultrastructure
  • Humans
  • Microscopy / instrumentation
  • Microscopy / methods*

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins
  • FtsZ protein, Bacteria