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Related Concept Videos

Biological Methods for Microbial Control01:28

Biological Methods for Microbial Control

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Biological agents offer an effective means of controlling microbial growth by leveraging natural processes like predation, competition, and the secretion of antimicrobial substances.Predatory bacteria such as Bdellovibrio species target and kill pathogens like Salmonella and E. coli. They are widely used in poultry farms to control infections. Myxococcus species help combat plant-pathogenic fungi. These naturally occurring predators serve as eco-friendly alternatives to chemical pesticides and...
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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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Heat is a widely used method to control microbial growth by targeting and denaturing cellular proteins, thereby killing or inactivating microbes. This method's effectiveness is quantified using parameters such as the thermal death point (TDP), thermal death time (TDT), and decimal reduction time (D value). TDP represents the lowest temperature at which all microorganisms in a liquid suspension are eliminated within 10 minutes, whereas TDT is the time necessary to achieve sterilization at a...
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Aseptic techniques prevent contamination, ensure experimental accuracy, and protect researchers and microbial cultures. These techniques are essential in clinical, industrial, and research settings where sterility is required.Maintaining Sterility in Laboratory PracticesScientists maintain sterility by sterilizing tools with heat or chemicals, disinfecting work surfaces, and handling cultures in controlled environments. Working near an open flame or within a laminar flow hood reduces the risk...
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Chemicals play important roles in controlling microbial growth by targeting microbial structures and functions as sanitizers, antiseptics, disinfectants, and sterilants.Alcohols are commonly used sanitizers, effectively disrupting lipid membranes, which compromises cell integrity. They are also used as antiseptics and disinfectants due to their rapid action and versatility.Phenols and their derivatives phenolics , known for denaturing proteins and disrupting cell membranes, are particularly...
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Microorganisms play a pivotal role in maintaining ecosystem balance by recycling essential elements such as carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus, as well as supporting processes like bioremediation, wastewater treatment, and biofuel production.Microbes in Elemental CyclesIn the carbon cycle, microorganisms decompose organic matter, releasing carbon dioxide via aerobic respiration. This carbon dioxide is subsequently used by photosynthetic organisms to synthesize organic compounds, closing the...
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Updated: Dec 17, 2025

Design and Use of a Low Cost, Automated Morbidostat for Adaptive Evolution of Bacteria Under Antibiotic Drug Selection
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Engineering microbial diagnostics and therapeutics with smart control.

Matthew B Amrofell1, Austin G Rottinghaus1, Tae Seok Moon2

  • 1Department of Energy, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States.

Current Opinion in Biotechnology
|June 22, 2020
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Engineered microbes act as smart diagnostic and therapeutic tools, responding to specific diseases. Synthetic biology advances are enhancing their potential in medicine.

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Area of Science:

  • Microbial engineering
  • Synthetic biology
  • Biomedical applications

Background:

  • Microbes are increasingly utilized as platforms for diagnostic and therapeutic technologies.
  • Early engineering involved constitutive protein expression, but recent efforts focus on disease-responsive systems.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review synthetic biology technologies for engineering microbes in biomedical applications.
  • To highlight recent advancements in microbial sensing using animal models and clinical samples.

Main Methods:

  • Review of synthetic biology tools and techniques.
  • Analysis of recent studies on engineered microbes for disease diagnosis and treatment.
  • Focus on microbial sensing mechanisms and responsiveness.

Main Results:

  • Engineered microbes demonstrate region-selectivity and disease-responsiveness via biosensors.
  • Smart microbes are being developed for diverse conditions including infections, cancers, and metabolic disorders.
  • Recent studies show successful microbial sensing in animal models and clinical samples.

Conclusions:

  • Synthetic biology enables the development of sophisticated 'smart' microbes.
  • Engineered microbes hold significant promise for improving medical diagnostics and therapeutics.
  • Continued advances in synthetic biology will further enhance the role of microbes in medicine.