Microbiologists' Tools Reflect The Diversity Of The Discipline

NUMEROUS APPLICATIONS: Bio-Tek Instruments' FL600 automated fluorescence microplate reader tells the researcher how many living cells are in a bacterial culture. In the natural world, microorganisms wear many hats. They are agents of disease, producers of proteins, remediators of rubbage, and brewers of beer. The field of microbiology is just as diverse. A microbiologist may search for ways to inhibit bacterial growth or for methods to make bacteria grow faster. Scientists may coax bacteria to

Written byHolly Ahern

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NUMEROUS APPLICATIONS: Bio-Tek Instruments' FL600 automated fluorescence microplate reader tells the researcher how many living cells are in a bacterial culture.

In the natural world, microorganisms wear many hats. They are agents of disease, producers of proteins, remediators of rubbage, and brewers of beer. The field of microbiology is just as diverse. A microbiologist may search for ways to inhibit bacterial growth or for methods to make bacteria grow faster. Scientists may coax bacteria to mass-produce proteins or manipulate them to be more adept at performing desired tasks, such as degrading toxic compounds. Clearly, microbiologists need tools to take full advantage of the diversity and utility of microorganisms. Additionally, many life sciences rely on the microbes themselves as tools.

SEMIAUTOMATIC: With the Touch-O-Matic Bunsen burner, the researcher controls ignition via an on-off platform. Using culture techniques, microorganisms can be grown in populations as small as a colony or as large ...

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