>1. Can pecan shell being an opaque substrate be used to detect flourescent
>signals coming from the bacterial cells growing on it ?

No problem except that the substratum (the shell) will be highly iregular
so I'd recommend a water immersion lens (dipping lens) with a reasonable
working distance.

>
>2. What kind of flourochromes would be ideal for bio film study ?

Anything you use for biological applications should work well, but you need
to match them to your lasers/dichroics.

>
>3. Are there any kits available to prepare probes conjugated to certain
>fluorochromes ?

Yes - check the Molecular Probes catalogue.  I think these are sold by
other companies as well.


>4. Is there any good literature out there related to this application ?

Again, the Molecular Probes catalogue provides an excellent starting point
for literature.  But you have a very specific application for which you
will need rigourous controls.  The person doing the study should be aware
of this :) :)

Robert J. Palmer Jr., Ph.D.
Natl Inst Dental Craniofacial Res - Natl Insts Health
Bldg 30, Room 310
30 Convent Drive
Bethesda MD 20892
ph 301-496-2088
fax 301-402-0396