title: The theory and relevance of continuous culture.
abstract: Batch cultures of micro-organisms which utilize typical laboratory media, generally result in rapidly dividing cultures (generation times less than 1 h). These are atypical of those found in natural environments. The continuous culture of micro-organisms allows either specific-growth-rate to be controlled, whilst maintaining the cells in a constant physical and chemical environment or a constant specific-growth-rate to be maintained whilst physico-chemical parameters of growth such as pH, temperature or nutrient availability are varied. Continuous culture therefore offers the prospect of in-vitro culture of micro-organisms in physiological states relevant to their natural habitats. This article introduces the concepts of continuous culture and discusses their relevance towards in-vitro models of infection and of antibiotic dosing.
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D001419:Bacteria / Q000254:growth & development*; D007700:Kinetics; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008828:Microbiological Techniques; D008954:Models, Biological
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents