STUDIES ON THE TRANSDUCTION PHENOMENON: I. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS IN THE LABORATORY

Abstract

Transduction has a practical application in a laboratory where the serological analysis of Salmonella organisms is carried out. Non-motile variants of strains may be treated with transducing phage, such that they develop flagella and motility. Such treated strains may then be typed with the appropriate anti-sera. Non-motile, poorly flagellated strains of S. derby, S. dublin, and S. typhi Vi were successfully transduced to motile forms. A phage isolated from S. thompson strain 1/19 (Williams Smith) was found to possess transducing properties. Laboratory methods for the transducing procedure are outlined.