Biochrom Simplifies Reliable Optical Density Measurement

The Scripps Research Institute
Immunology Microbiology
Postdoctoral Researcher

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Ease-of-Optimization

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Avantor

Product Name:

Biowave cell density meter CO8000

Catalog Number:

80-3000-45

In my research, I focus on understanding how certain bacteria behave under different growth conditions and treatments. One of my main objectives is to monitor cell growth at specific time points to determine the rate of growth, the timing of various growth phases, and the cells' responses to stress or experimental changes. The optical density (OD) meter is a crucial tool in this work, as it allows me to measure the optical density of my cultures quickly. These measurements help me identify the optimal times to add treatments, collect samples, or conduct further experiments, such as microscopy or genetic analysis. By using this device, I ensure that my experiments are consistent and based on accurate, real-time growth data.

Experimental Design and Results Summary

Tips

Clean the cuvettes properly to avoid inconsistent readings.

DOI or PMID #

N/A

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Summary

The Good

Very fast and easy to use. Small size fits perfectly on the lab bench.

The Bad

Only measures at a fixed wavelength (600 nm).

The Bottom Line

Consistent measurements using OD600 enabled accurate tracking of bacterial growth phases, which was essential for determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of ampicillin in various bacterial mutants, as well as in mutants treated with human-derived antimicrobials. This approach allowed me to discover that certain mutants were sensitive to ampicillin during the early stationary phase, whereas others showed sensitivity to human-derived antimicrobials specifically during the exponential growth phase. Overall, it proved to be a great and reliable method for tracking cell growth in liquid cultures on a daily basis.

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