Mesostats-A multiplexed, low-cost, do-it-yourself continuous culturing system for experimental evolution of mesocosms

Area of Science:

• Evolutionary Biology
• Microbiology
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Microbial experimental evolution is a powerful tool for studying evolutionary dynamics and testing theoretical predictions.
• Chemostats offer tighter control over selective pressures compared to static batch cultures, making them ideal for evolutionary studies.
• There is a growing need for accessible and cost-effective chemostat systems for high-throughput evolutionary experiments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the design and construction of a multiplexed chemostat array (mesostats) for microbial experimental evolution.
• To enable the cultivation of 16 concurrent algal populations for studying adaptation to herbicides.
• To provide a robust and adaptable platform for investigating evolutionary processes.

Main Methods:

• Design and construction of a multiplexed chemostat array (mesostats) capable of running 16 concurrent populations.
• Cultivation of algae under controlled conditions within the mesostat system.
• Development of protocols for monitoring and managing chemostat cultures, including addressing common issues.

Main Results:

• Demonstration of the mesostat system's replicability through control data from several experiments.
• Illustration of the system's performance and sensitivity to common experimental issues such as leaks, contamination, and cell clumping.
• Validation of the mesostat system as a viable platform for studying adaptation in microbial populations.

Conclusions:

• The developed mesostat system provides a cost-effective and efficient platform for multiplexed microbial experimental evolution.
• The system facilitates the study of adaptation to specific selective pressures, such as herbicides, in multiple parallel populations.
• The protocol and control data offer a valuable resource for researchers seeking to implement similar high-throughput evolutionary studies.