Identification of Phytopathogenic Virus Strains by their Luminescent Properties

A quick test has been developed to identify phytopathogenic virus strains by variations in their photoluminescence parameters. When heated, the virus suspension shows a jumpwise drop or rise in fluorescence intensity caused by conformational changes in the macromolecules of the virion protein capsules. The relative value of the jump in fluorescence intensity and the temperature value at which the jump occurs are essentially strain-specific. The minimum time needed for one test is from 15 to 20 minutes.     

Germination of the chlamydospores of Candida albicans

Using a slide culture technique, it was determined unequivocally that the chlamydospore of Candida albicans does germinate. The germination was by way of a multiple-budding process which was associated mostly with young spores following their transfer to a fresh environment. It is concluded the chlamydospore of C. albicans is a reproductive cell with a transient viability.     

Isolation of Temperature-Sensitive Membrane Mutants of Escherichia coli K-12

Mutants with impaired biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids or altered metabolism of the phospholipids were isolated at a rather high frequency from a set of temperature-sensitive lysis mutants. It is suggested that preselection for the lysis phenotype makes it possible to isolate several kinds of mutants affected in the integrity of the cytoplasmic membrane.