Survival and enumeration of aerosolized and freeze-dried genetically engineeredE. coli, under controlled environmental conditions

Abstract

Aerosol survival of a genetically engineered strain ofEscherichia coli demonstrated a more rapid die-off (i.e., death rate) compared to its parental wildtype. Up to 77% of a freeze dried and air-exposed genetically engineered microorganism (GEM) and wildtype bacteria could be resuscitated by the amendment of the dilution medium with catalase or bovine serum albumin (BSA). Rehydration temperature was found to effect survival of freeze dried and air-exposedE. coli, cold shock and rehydration caused 97% loss in viability, while trehalose treatment was found enhance survival by 5 to 10 fold for the wildtype and GEM, respectively.