Relaxometry for detecting free radical generation during Bacteria's response to antibiotics

Free radical generation plays a key role in killing bacteria by antibiotics. However, radicals are short-lived and reactive, thus difficult to detect for the state of art. Here we use technique which allows optical nanoscale magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on scale single bacteria. We demonstrate that Staphylococcus aureus increases presence UV irradiation as well vancomycin is dependent antibiotic's dose. With method based ensembles nitrogen vacancy (NV) centers diamond, were able follow formation near individual over whole duration experiment reveal dynamics generation. Using this new approach, observed free concentrations within voxels around diamond particles determined its exact timing depending antibiotic Since changes response antibiotics emerge only few entire population, such single-cell approach can prove highly valuable research into drug resistance.