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UV light will kill bacteria and is used by some backpackers UV pens to sterilize water. In theory it should help with contamination. Having said that sterilization with the pens is tricky and they are meant to be submersed in water and stirred so all the water can be treated. This device only has the light source in the cap so I wouldn't use it as a treatment for iffy water.
Another quibble I have is that it claims to also be self cleaning. It is important to know that UV light will kill a bacterium by cross linking its DNA, but the (now dead) bacterium and any other contaminants or odor causing chemicals will still be in the bottle. It will still need to be washed to get rid of these.
Get a microscope, then mount and stain the fungus.
Good discussion here: https://www.researchgate.net/post/What_is_the_best_method_for_the_identification_of_Fungus_under_microscope
You may want to hunt down a mycology key to identify the fungus.
Buy yourself a present you’ll enjoy for years to come.
Gosky Microscope Lens Adapter, Microscope Smartphone Camera Adaptor - for Microscope... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07412S738/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_api_i_fNmyFbSSYA516
There will be variability between species of bacteria, so keep that in mind:
Fast exopolysaccharide secretion of Pseudomonas aeruginosa on polar polymer surfaces
Try using the key words: "Kinetics of EPS Secretion" and "Rate of EPS secretion" into Google Scholar or whichever database you decide to use.
ISBN-13: 978-0323613170
ISBN-10: 0323613179
​
This is the textbook I used for my clinical micro class. I do not remember if it has review questions but it has a ton of colored pictures, index of everything, and plenty of flow charts. Its a monster in terms of weight, but I still use it today when studying for my boards :)
Im not sure this is exactly what you're looking for but I have this page to a book called "Coloring with Cell" (link) which has a page about mitosis (its more centered aroud eukaryotic cells so I dont know if that will help you). If you need some stuff on prokaryotic cells I suggest the microbiology coloring book (amazon link) but this is not geared towards those age groups. Lastly i've found that that for children to get a basic idea youtube videos seem to get them interested, I suggest crash course biology and maybe you will find a video that could work for them.
Best of luck!
Good start, but too expensive. Look at this! https://www.amazon.com/Awarded-2018-Best-Compound-Microscope/dp/B0094JTZOU/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=microscope&qid=1597375644&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzVlJEMUFaQVZVQ0lPJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMDEyNTk2Mk8xVDU0Mk5QQ1RXOSZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMDQ1NTA1TEZPV1RXTE9FRzA2JndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ== . I've been using this all through quarantine as my first microscoper. This OMAX is the real deal! It comes with slides, and cover slips as well!
Something like this: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Elizabeth_Kutter/publication/23642162/figure/fig1/Fig-141-Spotting-of-6-sets-of-serial-phage-dilutions-on-a-square-plate-This-method-is.png
In my lab we dilute by 10x by adding 50ul into 450ul (or sometimes even smaller volumes). Let's say we did that 5x, so down to 10^-6. We take 10 ul out of the 500 and put it in the top row of the square plate, in triplicate for each dilution. So, you get 2 dilutions per plate, or in this case I'd get -6 and -5 on the same plate. Then tip the plate and let the 10ul run down (it'll go to the bottom box but not all the way to the bottom of the plate). Count your CFUs in each column, average the CFUs between the 3 repeats, and then do the math to figure out CFU/ml.
I’m so happy for you! I love microbiology too! Here’s the microscope I have, it works great! I think it’s around $200 but... I love it! It’s inexpensive but will last, you know? My suggestion would be to Grab a basic gram stain kit if you want to see bacteria very well.
OMAX 40X-2500X LED Binocular Compound Lab Microscope w/ Double Layer Mechanical Stage + Blank Slides, Cover Slips, & Lens Cleaning Paper https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0094JTZOU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_p4cqTpUGlCv8N
Edit: If this is too far out of your budget, try using the description on here to find a cheaper one with similar amenities. Good luck!
There's an excellent chapter on beta-lactams in Graham Patrick, "Introduction to Medicinal Chemistry." You can get an older edition for next-to-nothing in Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Introduction-Medicinal-Chemistry-Patrick-Paperback/dp/B010WEO9TQ/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1503682874&sr=1-3-fkmr0&keywords=An+Introduction+to+Medicinal+Chemistry+4th+ed
Just buy some TSA from amazon?
Its only $20. I think you would be hard pressed to make equivalent media at home. If you are really cheap you can use agar agar from an Asian grocery and pour plates but buying the dishes, and processing the plates will cost nearly as much as just buying the premade plates.
Here is one page from Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/HiMedia-RM635-500G-Meat-Peptone-500/dp/B00DYOGQ9S
More commonly, one buys them from scientific supplies places.
You could try making up your own. Simple enough in principle, though you won't get a reproducible supply.
I used microbiology in pictures to study for micro. I want to say it's $5 for 3 months. It's exactly what it says on the tin.
Photographic Atlas for the Microbiology Laboratory would also give you an idea of what to look for under the microscope.
The app/website iNaturalist is a great way to both get help identifying organisms, as well as reporting your findings for scientists. You can also buy books with identification keys. I have this one: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1784271357
For just $20 dollars this could be yours.
I had a look around for you. This looks like what you were looking for. And it’s stereo which helps kids. The scopes I was talking about are ironically more expensive but this seems right in your price range.
Seems good but I bet you can find good quality sparkling new microscopes for that money. Maybe everyone hates it but I have an Omax microscope that works like a charm and only costed $200. Really depends on the brand and the quality of the optics though.
https://www.amazon.com/Farmers-Secret-Booster-Plants-Promotes/dp/B09JDPHKFG/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=1FXO5N9ZRUQKY&keywords=farmer+secret&qid=1660896909&sprefix=farmer+secret%2Caps%2C176&sr=8-3 nitrogen iron and zinc mainly here’s a link it has the full ingredients there
Hi Everyone,
So...I am a spatial ecologist and I am so shocked that I just got into this! I make jarrariums for fun, and I recently purchased a microscope (amazon link here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DVFBVPF?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details ) to view the life that is in it.
To save a click, it is a Wireless Digital Microscope, Skybasic 50X-1000X Magnification (and only cost $31). I am having a blast so far! You can see some of the videos in the post. BUT, I feel like I am doing something wrong and am not optimizing my set up. For example, it is insanely difficult for me to get a clear view. this may partially be due to me moving it (since it is light) but perhaps the lighting as well?
Anyways, I want to try to get the best quality images and videos as possible, and while I know it may not be optimal with this microscope (although if you have recommendations, do let me know!). Would anyone have any suggestions..for example
is the microscope too close to the jar? should I dim the lighting, or turn off the lights for either the plant lights or microscope? basic stuff like that. Any insight would be greatly appreciated as I am already addicted to this!
thank you!
You may enjoy Outbreak: Cases in Real-World Microbiology.
The linked edition is new me kinda expensive, the first edition is cheaper and also excellent. It’s written at the sweet spot where it can be read for fun or by students/practitioners in microbiology.
Hey, I just bought a book called Antibiotics Simplified off Amazon. It's really easy to understand.
Here's the link
Got it.
The filter I pour it through is for making unknown water potable (for backpackers and such):
I have it hanging like a separatory funnel and use gravity to filter the water. It has an extremely high flow rate and lasts forever with regular backwashing. This seems extraordinary to me because a vacuum flask with suction and a buchner funnel with 11micron paper takes orders of magnitude longer. This is one of the things I want to check.
Any thoughts on this device?
You can use the "CountThings By Camera" app.https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=cn.movingshop.counting.global
Just take a picture of the petri dish. Automatically calculate the number of colonies, which is convenient and fast
But which common environmental fungus looks brown on the underside ? I found this pictures of "Trichophyton rubrum" which looks very similar to my picture. Could it that be ? The weird thing is, this fungus usually infect your nails and not your hair... i have no idea
and
You're going to need to obtain N. Fowleri somehow, it is an amoeba so it will have to feed on other organisms. I am not completely sure myself, but this question has been asked before on other sites:
Thank. Ya my first thought when I saw them (before I realized that primary spermatocytes could be randomly found in semen samples), I thought they were leukocytes (the nuclei are way more condensed and blue from what I've seen), but I started looking at how spermatocytes look with Giemsa under the scope, I saw huge similarities. http://www.apjr.net/viewimage.asp?img=AsianPacJReprod_2017_6_1_23_215597_f2.jpg
C looks similar to my first pic, and D look similar to my second pic. (But yes, I realize this is from a deer buck lol
But this diagram looked similar too, albeit clearer than mine. https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Immature-germ-cell-separation-using-a-modified-in-Gandini-Lenzi/ff3a4efec6afdde638d56f2fc1c02f001822329d/figure/0
You could buy them on amazon. My zoology professor brought them off there and we they were indeed alive. I can't find the exact link he had but https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0714JKV2Z/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_M1XMD4P6AC0KSC0V08VP
You can buy the 7th edition on Barnes and Noble for $4.26.
I'm in Canada and buy loads of used textbook off there. And I recommend not bothering with the new editions. I own the 7th and have used it for 6 years no issue.
Huh? I'm an undergrad and I do PCR routinely in my research.
Here's a really old guide to IDing actinomycetes by morphology that may or may not be useful to you. https://archive.org/details/guidetoclassific00waks
But if you're not allowed to actually use molecular techniques then I might as well take your professor's advice and treat it like S. griseus.
and btw, macconkey actualy are avalible on amazon and not expenssive, but I have no experience with selective mediums and not sure what the implications are. Again, I just want an indication for growth...
Primary sources contain the work directly produced from the research like this. A secondary source will be a news article summarizing the work, like your post, or a review article that touches on and summarizes overall topics in the scientific community like this. Review articles are published works, however, they did not investigate a specific problem, they are just "reviewing" where the science stands at the point of its publication.
I can't give advice on what's good, but I can give you an example of what's probably the absolute worst you can expect. My little sister got this microscope a couple of years back, allegedly x300 magnification (fixed, I mean, look at that thing). It was $10 and is one of the least well made products I've ever seen. Entirely made out of brittle, terrible plastic, parts hardly fit together and even the lenses are made from cheap plastic. So, it doesn't get any worse than this, not even if you tried. I took the thing, used some Lego and duct tape to build a mount for my smartphone and this is the footage I took with it of what I think to be Colpidium colpoda. Those are supposedly between 50 and 150 μm in length.
I mean, I'm under no illusions about the quality of the footage, but honestly? Considering this is literally the worst you can get? Completely above what I expected.
So this is definitely not advice to get this specific one - quite the opposite -, but this should illuminate that you shouldn't feel the need to spend hundreds of Dollars "just for fun".
I purchased a great microscope off amazon for home use and I have been extremely impressed with it for the past 2 years! It has objectives 4X - 100X, 2 different ocular lens options, immersion oil, and it came with glass slides and cover slips. I highly recommend it!
https://www.amazon.com/Awarded-2018-Best-Compound-Microscope/dp/B0094JTZOU
No problem. This is what I used but my needs didn't require incredibly sterile conditions, however I don't often get contamination so it seems to do the trick. Obviously, proper aseptic technique when doing transfers, testing, and evaluation is more important.
Reading your other comments now, you may need a microscope? Used oil immersion 1000x scopes can be found for not too much. Not sure how you'll ensure you have pure culture otherwise. Not knowing what you're growing, I can't really recommend a set of stains other than maybe the materials for a Gram stain.
Also, you can buy pretty large grow tents for really not much money on Amazon. I'm not going to say that this will be foolproof isolation, but likely a better chance of stopping any pathogenic spread.
I get that you want to do this, although I probably wouldn't, so hopefully the combined advice in this thread yields some safety.
We pre-enrich 25g using 225mL Buffered Peptone Water and plate it using a rapid test plate. Companies are shifting to rapid test plates because the extra expense is pretty much the exchange of having to follow the conventional method as illustrated in FDA BAM or related, especially for companies carrying FMCG.
I used this before diving into a more robust text like Janeway or Parham during med school. It's a nice general, straightforward overview that'll let you ease deeper into the subject.
Brock's Biology of Microorganisms is a pretty good start. You can get it used for pretty cheap.
It was a malt based wort, usually around 10-12 P or 1.040-1.048 SG. Never did a formal analysis on it, though the majority sugar would have been maltose.
My go-to reference was this book: https://www.amazon.com/Yeast-Practical-Fermentation-Brewing-Elements/dp/0937381969
Of course there's more technical literature out there, but it's a good practical starter on the subject.
I bought this a few years ago on sale. It is a great microscope. It’s the same I used in my lab at a medical school research lab.
OMAX 40X-2000X LED Binocular Compound Lab Microscope w/ Double Layer Mechanical Stage + Blank Slides, Cover Slips, & Lens Cleaning Paper, M82ES-SC100-LP100 https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B0094JTZOU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_1RSEABWTV27J07M1F4A6?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Clinical Microbiology Made Ridiculously Simple is kind of a classic I recommend to students of clinical/diagnostic microbiology. Not sure about more general micro.
I got a bunch of them for my students to use and they love them. I also got one that has much better optics but it's a lot more expensive.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MXKIQTP/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I just went down this rabbit hole. I'm most interested in looking at my soil and water at the moment. My main requisits:
Compound - not stereo, disecting, or handheld 450x max (or more) magnification Trinocular - to add a camera. binocular minimum for comfort during long periods of use Double layer mechanical stage - to chase down microbes on the move
I ordered this one used with a scratch at a discount https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SGCFT32/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_3rOtFbSDKYXVN
Good luck OP! It took forever for me to pull the trigger
I purchased a binocular Amscope for my lab for checking and counting cells, and it was inexpensive and works great! It was actually recommended by our microscopy facility.
Good to know. I've always wondered about the ref part of the urls.
I went ahead and changed the link for anyone who wants to minimize tracking: https://www.amazon.com/Awarded-2018-Best-Compound-Microscope/dp/B0094JTZOU/
You don’t need a fancy photo printer to start! Regular sticker paper or matte inkjet vinyl can be used on most inkjet printers :) I do have an art print printer now due to my intense use of glossy papers 😂 I have the printer linked below. If you want to do any large amounts of glossy photo paper, rear feeders are the best since tray feeders break using thick photo paper often...many a printer I have purchased and destroyed...
Canon Pixma iX6820 Wireless Business Printer with AirPrint and Cloud Compatible, Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HM0IVDY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_KWrjFb3JC4VD5
I was looking at buying an autoclave if the price is reasonable. Would any of these work:
I am trying to see if I can use one at a local university currently. I have autoclave bags. to autoclave, do I just put the items that I want to autoclave in the bag and simply put in the autoclave? I will be needing to autoclave the agar/culture media, glycerol solution, and equipment/tools.
Thanks
I was looking at buying an autoclave if the price is reasonable. Would any of these work:
I am trying to see if I can use one at a local university currently. I have autoclave bags. to autoclave, do I just put the items that I want to autoclave in the bag and simply put in the autoclave? I will be needing to autoclave the agar/culture media, glycerol solution, and equipment/tools.
Thanks
My favorite textbook on bacterial techniques and especially bacterial culture would be https://smile.amazon.com/Nesters-Microbiology-Perspective-Denise-Anderson/dp/0073522597/ref=dp_ob_title_bk
The 7th edition is just as good as the 8th, and probably much easier to find (And definitely much cheaper).
If you want micro with some history and trolling the nazi's I would read this Its about two little known men who did great work while in total hell. If you don't trust me, read this But this article is only about half the book. So much editing
As long as you practice BSL2 or higher precautions in a biosafety hood, you're fine. Fume hoods are not safe for working with fungi. You can get a broad idea of classification based on the macroscopic appearance on fungal media, but to ID it, you need to see it microscopically.
From a clinical standpoint, if fungus is outside the scope of your project, you're probably safest calling it a contaminant and tossing it. Dimorphic molds and most dermatophytes are resistant to cyclohexamide. Dimorphic molds are very dangerous in culture (very low infectious dose).
Larone's Medically Important Fungi guide is our bible.
Many moons ago i was in a similar dilemma. https://www.amazon.com/Molecular-Biology-Techniques-Intensive-Laboratory/dp/0125839901 helped me a great deal.
Edit: for micro, look for the lammert microbiology techniques handbook.
I absolutely will be sharing! Would you say this would be a better option than getting something like this ? I don't know anything about cameras.. I would bet my iphone camera has better quality but maybe you could weigh in.
Awesome! Are you happy with that microscope? I've been looking around at so many different ones, the specs are very similar with all of them around the $2-300 price range though(from what I've seen). Another person recommended this instead of the webcam, what would be your opinion on that?
Another question about the scope. Are you happy with the quality you get with the Achromatic DIN objectives? My lab manager was saying to go with PLAN objectives but they're just so much more expensive! And are the images you get at 2500x clear? I'd imagine their would be some problems with the resolution from using such a high ocular magnification. If you've got any pictures I'd love to see :) Thank you!
Interesting idea with the Winogradsky column, never heard of that! I will definitely give that a try. But yes I saw on Amazon they have these guys and you just fill them up into the petri dishes and then you're good. I was going to go with a powder but I specifically saw instructions about the use of an autoclave (or pressure cooker like you mentioned) but my parents don't have one :/. Just looked though and they're pretty cheap for a little 6 qt one, and I think that would be more than enough. Will pick up some distilled h2o too! Thank you!
Zimmer's A Planet of Viruses is an interesting and entertaining book.
This is one of my favorite Bacteriology books since college:
If you interested in phages, "Life in Our Phage" by Forest Rohwer is fantastic. http://www.amazon.com/Life-Phage-World-Forest-Rohwer/dp/0990494306/ref=sr_1_1 It's both visually as well as scientifically amazing. Highly recommended!
A fun read I recommend to anyone expressing any interest in microbiology is March of the Microbes by John Ingraham. While it will not satisfy your desire for medical microbiology, it will provide a broad understanding of how microbes shape our world. This book is what really got me to appreciate the microbial world when I started working in my first lab.
The Machinery of Life, by David Goodsell. Looks in detail at the Molecular side of microbiology. Describing with very impressive imagery, the structure of various cellular components at the atomic scale.
Probably not exactly what you are after, but still a really good read.
http://www.amazon.com/The-Machinery-Life-David-Goodsell/dp/0387849246
I agree with people below that you could have been more specific in your question, but for a good overview of the skin and gut microbiomes --how they are formed, what their function is, and the history of researching them-- I would check out Good Germs, Bad Germs. To be honest, it's rather dry to read through, but it's great to skim.
You might have already found this, but NPR has a whole series of articles on the microbiome, which might be useful more to find scientific journal articles you can get specific info from than to read by themselves.