Phenotypic recognition of pyocyanine mutants in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Abstract

Certain classes of pyocyanine mutants in P. aeruginosa in P. aeruginose escape detection when screened in the presence of wild type or other mutant cells. A technique is described for recognizing mutant phenotypes after cells are in individual agar wells. The procedure eliminates cross feeding phenomena as well as the masking of mutant phenotypes by diffusing pyocyanine produced by nearby clones.