Module 4: Buoyancy

Description | Design | Construction | Characterisation | Modelling | Results | Conclusions

Characterisation

In order to test the buoyancy of our cells, we will be determining their relative density. Cells will float or sink based on their density relative to the density of the solution surrounding them. Hence, by using different concentration of salt solutions, and observing the buoyancy of cells, a quantitative gauge of cell buoyancy can be determined.

We will also be directly visualising the gas vesicles in order to characterise them. This will be done by lysing the cells and extracting the gas vesicles, before preparing the samples for imaging by scanning electron microscopy. By analysing the gas vesicles ex vivo, we expect to be able to obtain clear visualisation of the samples, allowing us to confirm gas vesicle production.