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Methods for Controlling Microbial Growth

Methods for Controlling Microbial Growth

Microbial growth control refers to various methods employed to inhibit, reduce, or eliminate microorganisms to ensure safety and hygiene across different settings. These methods are categorized based on the target environment and the level of microbial control required.Biocides are versatile agents designed to control microorganisms by either inhibiting their growth or outright killing them. These agents work through various physical, chemical, mechanical, or biological mechanisms. The...

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Design and Use of Multiplexed Chemostat Arrays

Design and Use of Multiplexed Chemostat Arrays

Published on: February 23, 2013

Developing a low-cost milliliter-scale chemostat array for precise control of cellular growth.

David Skelding¹, Samuel F M Hart¹, Thejas Vidyasagar²

¹Division of Basic Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA.

Quantitative Biology (Beijing, China)

|October 11, 2019

Summary

This study presents a low-cost, multiplexed milliliter-scale chemostat array for precise control of cellular growth. The developed chemostat system accurately quantifies population phenotypes, reducing experimental error in biological studies.

Keywords:

chemostats evolution microbes multiplex physiology

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Area of Science:

Microbiology
Biotechnology
Synthetic Biology

Background:

Multiplexed milliliter-scale chemostats are valuable tools for cell physiology studies and evolution experiments.
Accurate characterization of flow rate parameters (accuracy, precision, operational range) is lacking in existing chemostat devices.
Chemostats enable controlled nutrient limitation by pumping fresh medium and removing effluent at equal rates.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop and characterize a multiplexed milliliter-scale chemostat system for precise control of cellular growth.
To assess the accuracy, precision, and operational range of flow rates in the developed chemostat array.
To demonstrate the utility of the chemostat system for accurate and precise quantification of population phenotypes.

Main Methods:

Repurposing a published multiplexed culturing device to create a milliliter-scale chemostat array.
Independently controlling flow rates across eight chambers for a wide range of population doubling times (3-13 hours).
Evaluating flow rate accuracy and precision without expensive feedback systems.

Main Results:

Flow rates were highly precise, with a maximal coefficient of variation below 3% across chambers.
Average flow rates were accurate, with deficits of 3%-6% for 13-h and 0.6%-1.0% for 3-h doubling times, primarily due to evaporation.
The device successfully enabled accurate and precise quantification of population phenotypes.

Conclusions:

Precise control of cellular growth was achieved using a low-cost, milliliter-scale chemostat array.
The high precision of the chemostat system reduces measurement errors in biological processes.
This technology offers a cost-effective solution for microbial research and evolution experiments.