Nystatin decontaminates fungi but has no effect on bacteria,
which lack nystatin's target cholesterol. It seems that at least
some bacteria with spore-forming capability and streptomycin
resistance exist and can contaminate _C. elegans_. Bleach doesn't
always kill spores; and bleach is difficult to use on a great many
strains at once, especially if they're less-than-vigorous mutants.
It'd be awfully handy if one could passage _C. elegans_ on HB101
carrying pBR322 (easy to make), with the HB101:pBR322 growing on NGM
plates carrying ampicillin and/or tetracycline. In principle that
ought to knock out any contaminant that been thriving on NGM +
strept. But I worry that, for all I know, somebody's tried this
already and found some hideous side effect.
If anybody can relate their (good or bad) experience growing _C.
elegans_ on antibiotics other than streptomycin, I'd be grateful.
Either a post to this group or an e-mail would be fine. Thanks.
--Erich Schwarz, Chalfie Lab
schwarz at cubsps.bio.columbia.edu
