Heat shock proteins - Any test kits which will show the presence or otherwise (Feb/12/2007 )

Hey there, Just a quick message to ask if anyone can recommend test kits for the presence of heat shock proteins when a bacterial cell is stressed. We are subjecting E.coli, salmonella poona and Staph aureus to microwave irradiation and I want to investigate if HSP's are produced. This is part of my PhD work and no one here at The University of Bolton has any idea. Any help would be much appreciated

Cheers in advance


Andy

Hi.
Have you thought of an ELISA to detect various HSPs? I just went to www.linscottsdirectory.com and found this entry (under "heat shock proteins" antibody search). Assay Designs (http://www.assaydesigns.com) has GroEL antibodies that might do the trick. You might be able to get hold of some more specific Abs from other researchers...
Alternately, if you got enough cells, you could try your luck with a Western, or do RT-PCR for the genes themselves, perhaps.