Virtual Lab Manual
The Gram Stain: I dentify and
differentiate bacteria
Synopsis
Did you know that there are approximately 5 million-trillion-trillion bacteria in the world?
Most of them are harmless, but some can induce disease in an affected host. In this
simulation, you will help doctors identify bacteria in a cerebrospinal fluid sample from a
patient suspected of suffering from bacterial meningitis.
Explore the bacterial cell wall
Compare and contrast the cell wall of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria by building
your very own bacterial 3D models on the hologram table. Enter the exploration pod to
observe in an immersive animation how the four reagents of the Gram stain interact with
structural components of the cell wall to color the bacteria.
Perform the Gram stain
When the patient’s fluid sample arrives at the laboratory, equip yourself with protective gear
to prepare a bacterial smear and heat fix it to a glass slide. You are now ready to perform
the Gram stain in a safe virtual environment. Made a mistake? No worries, hit the big red
button on the workbench to repeat the staining procedure until it becomes second nature.
Interpret your findings using a microscope
In the end, you will use a light microscope to interpret the results of your Gram stain. View
the microscopic image on the computer screen, and apply immersion oil to increase
magnification 1000x!
Will you be able to identify the presence of any bacteria in the patient´s cerebrospinal fluid?
1 opyright Labster ApS 2020
C
All Rights Reserved
, Learning Objectives
At the end of this simulation, you will be able to…
● Describe the structure of the Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria
● Appreciate theoretical and technical aspects of the Gram staining procedure
● Know the most commonly made mistakes in Gram staining
● Critically interpret the results of a Gram staining experiment using a light microscope
Techniques in Lab
● Preparation of bacterial smears
● The Gram stain technique
● Light microscopy
Theory
Meningitis
Meningitis is a medical condition where the protective membranes (meninges) that
surround the brain and spinal cord become inflamed and compresses the nervous tissues
of the central nervous system. For a definite diagnosis of meningitis, a lumbar puncture is
performed to collect cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from the spinal canal.
The CSF is then sent for biochemical and microbiological testing, including a Gram stain.
Meningitis is caused by:
- Bacterial infections
- Viral infections
- Fungal infections
- Parasitic infections
- Autoimmune disorders
Bacterial meningitis is considered a medical emergency and requires prompt antibiotic
treatment. A variety of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria may cause
meningitis, including Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus
influenzae.
Other types of meningitis (viral, fungal, parasitic, autoimmune) are usually less severe,
requiring less intense or sometimes no treatment.
2 opyright Labster ApS 2020
C
All Rights Reserved
The Gram Stain: I dentify and
differentiate bacteria
Synopsis
Did you know that there are approximately 5 million-trillion-trillion bacteria in the world?
Most of them are harmless, but some can induce disease in an affected host. In this
simulation, you will help doctors identify bacteria in a cerebrospinal fluid sample from a
patient suspected of suffering from bacterial meningitis.
Explore the bacterial cell wall
Compare and contrast the cell wall of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria by building
your very own bacterial 3D models on the hologram table. Enter the exploration pod to
observe in an immersive animation how the four reagents of the Gram stain interact with
structural components of the cell wall to color the bacteria.
Perform the Gram stain
When the patient’s fluid sample arrives at the laboratory, equip yourself with protective gear
to prepare a bacterial smear and heat fix it to a glass slide. You are now ready to perform
the Gram stain in a safe virtual environment. Made a mistake? No worries, hit the big red
button on the workbench to repeat the staining procedure until it becomes second nature.
Interpret your findings using a microscope
In the end, you will use a light microscope to interpret the results of your Gram stain. View
the microscopic image on the computer screen, and apply immersion oil to increase
magnification 1000x!
Will you be able to identify the presence of any bacteria in the patient´s cerebrospinal fluid?
1 opyright Labster ApS 2020
C
All Rights Reserved
, Learning Objectives
At the end of this simulation, you will be able to…
● Describe the structure of the Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria
● Appreciate theoretical and technical aspects of the Gram staining procedure
● Know the most commonly made mistakes in Gram staining
● Critically interpret the results of a Gram staining experiment using a light microscope
Techniques in Lab
● Preparation of bacterial smears
● The Gram stain technique
● Light microscopy
Theory
Meningitis
Meningitis is a medical condition where the protective membranes (meninges) that
surround the brain and spinal cord become inflamed and compresses the nervous tissues
of the central nervous system. For a definite diagnosis of meningitis, a lumbar puncture is
performed to collect cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from the spinal canal.
The CSF is then sent for biochemical and microbiological testing, including a Gram stain.
Meningitis is caused by:
- Bacterial infections
- Viral infections
- Fungal infections
- Parasitic infections
- Autoimmune disorders
Bacterial meningitis is considered a medical emergency and requires prompt antibiotic
treatment. A variety of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria may cause
meningitis, including Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus
influenzae.
Other types of meningitis (viral, fungal, parasitic, autoimmune) are usually less severe,
requiring less intense or sometimes no treatment.
2 opyright Labster ApS 2020
C
All Rights Reserved
