Microtiter plates as mini-bioreactors: miniaturization of fermentation methods.
In the past decade, the use of microtiter plates for microbial growth has become widespread, particularly in industry. In parallel, research in academia has provided a thorough insight into the complex relation between well dimensions, culture volumes, orbital shaking conditions and surface tension on the one hand, and oxygen-transfer rates and degrees of mixing on the other. In this review, I will discuss these fundamental issues and describe the current applications of microtiter plates in microbiology. Microtiter plates can now be considered a mature alternative to Erlenmeyer shake flasks.
Duetz
Wouter A
WA
Enzyscreen, Biopartner Center Leiden, Wassenaarseweg 72, 2333 AL Leiden, The Netherlands. duetz@enzyscreen.com
D001419:Bacteria / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism*; D019149:Bioreactors; D005285:Fermentation; D008904:Miniaturization / Q000379:methods; D009154:Mutation