Rapid identification and enumeration of bacteria are critical, given the surge of antibiotic-resistance, global exchange of food products, and the use of bacteria for bioremediation, pharmaceutical, and food production. In response, a wide range of methods are being developed that can be broadly classified as nucleic acid-based, structure-based, mass spectrometry-based, and optically based. Optical methods have generated interest given the potential for rapid, non-destructive, high-throughput, and amplification-free measurements that require minimal sample preparation. This Perspective reviews optical methods, which are applied to identification, enumeration, and greater understanding of bacteria routinely and more importantly at the cutting edge of research, with the aim of identifying gaps and opportunities for development. We have focused primarily on methods that directly measure bacteria and not their effect on the sample matrix or sensing, which requires a biorecognition element (i.e., label specific to some component of the bacterium). We identify gaps in the existing techniques and avenues for innovation. Finally, we suggest the parameters that should be considered and recorded when reporting the development of existing and new methods for bacterial characterization. This Perspective is intended for physicists interested in developing new optical methods for the study of bacteria and microbiologists in need of an optical technique for bacterial applications.

中文翻译：

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用于细菌检测和表征的光学方法

鉴于抗生素耐药性的激增、食品的全球交换以及细菌在生物修复、制药和食品生产中的使用，快速识别和计数细菌至关重要。作为回应，正在开发范围广泛的方法，可大致分为基于核酸、基于结构、基于质谱和基于光学的方法。鉴于需要最少样品制备的快速、无损、高通量和无扩增测量的潜力，光学方法引起了人们的兴趣。该视角回顾了光学方法，这些方法通常应用于细菌的识别、计数和更深入的了解，更重要的是在研究的前沿，旨在找出发展的差距和机会。我们主要关注直接测量细菌的方法，而不是它们对样品基质或传感的影响，这需要生物识别元件（即，特定于细菌某些成分的标签）。我们确定现有技术和创新途径中的差距。最后，我们建议在报告现有和新的细菌表征方法的发展时应考虑和记录的参数。本视角适用于有兴趣开发用于研究细菌的新光学方法的物理学家和需要用于细菌应用的光学技术的微生物学家。我们确定现有技术和创新途径中的差距。最后，我们建议在报告现有和新的细菌表征方法的发展时应考虑和记录的参数。本视角适用于有兴趣开发用于研究细菌的新光学方法的物理学家和需要用于细菌应用的光学技术的微生物学家。我们确定现有技术和创新途径中的差距。最后，我们建议在报告现有和新的细菌表征方法的发展时应考虑和记录的参数。本视角适用于有兴趣开发用于研究细菌的新光学方法的物理学家和需要用于细菌应用的光学技术的微生物学家。