Method For Rapid Detection And Evaluation Of Cultured Cell Growth
OwnerDavid F. Wilsoninventor
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Abstract
Provided is a method and growth chamber for the rapid and accurate detection of growth and metabolism of a cellular microorganism in isolation within one or a plurality of wells containing a population of microorganisms in a non-liquid, culture medium, wherein the cells are distributed at not greater than one cell per well at plating. Further provided is a gelled culture medium containing a non-toxic, water-soluble, phosphorescent compound which measures oxygen content (partial oxygen pressure) of a microorganism also contained therein, by oxygen-dependent quenching of phosphorescence; or the gel contains a fluorescent pH indicator that demonstrates growth of the microorganism by pH-dependent intensity change or wavelength shift in the emission spectrum.
Claims16
A growth chamber for use in rapidly detecting growth or metabolism of individual cells, or for treating and/or manipulating same, comprising:
- a chamber defining a space, comprising two parallel plates defining a longitudinal plane of the space, wherein one of the plates forms one side of the chamber comprises an array of holes or grooves, forming a plurality of wells, and the second plate forms a flat cover for excluding external oxygen from media contained within the growth chamber and preventing oxygen from diffusing from the media;
- and
- an aqueous gelled culture medium within the space of the chamber, wherein said gelled culture medium further comprises a population of cells of at least one organism and either a dissolved oxygen-quenchable phosphorescent compound or a dissolved fluorescent pH indicator compound.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.