Massively parallel on-chip construction of synthetic microbial communities

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to compositions and methods for combinatorial assessment of nanoscale droplets, as specifically exemplified by massively parallel assessment of spatially-directed (while agnostic as to precise droplet content) combinations of droplets harboring distinct and independently identifiable microbial types and/or chemical compounds or mixtures. More particularly, the disclosure relates to a platform and methodologies for identifying advantageous (including synergistic, additive, etc.) microbial interactions and/or chemical compound or mixture interactions with microbes in a manner that allows for binary, trinary, etc. combinatorial assessments to be performed across a range of many discrete input types of microbes (e.g., 6-16 or more discrete input microbial types), to an extent capable of approaching comprehensive sampling and measurement of microbial community combinations from a selected panel of microbial inputs, optionally also in the presence of chemical compounds or mixtures (e.g., test compounds or mixtures for antimicrobial effect).

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.