MICROBIAL METABOLISM ASSAY SYSTEM

THE OBJECTIVE IS TO DEVELOP A NOVEL SYSTEM FOR THE IN VITRO ASSAY OF MICROBIAL METABOLISM. IT UNIQUELY PRESENTS OPPORTUNITIES TO ASSAY FOR THE PRESENCE OR ABSENCE OF VIABLE ORGANISMS, MONITOR METABOLIC ACTIVITY, AND CONDUCT BIOASSAYS FOR TOXIC OR STIMULATORY CONDITIONS WITH MICROBES. THE METHOD RELIES ON OXYGEN CONSUMPTION WITHIN SAMPLES. IT DOES NOT REQUIRE INSERTION OF PROBES INTO SAMPLE VESSELS, THEREFORE IT IS PRACTICAL FOR CONDUCTING RAPID, ECONOMICAL, ANALYSES OF MULTIPLE SAMPLES. THE APPROACH INNOVATIVELY USES A NEW TYPE OF SENSOR SYSTEM. THE AIMS OF PHASE I ARE TO SHOW THE FEASIBILITY OF MAKING SENSORY MEASURES IN VESSELS, TRACKING MICROBIAL METABOLISM IN VITRO, AND USE OF THE SYSTEM FOR CONDUCTING BIOASSAYS WITH MICROBES. THIS WILL BE DONE BY PRODUCING SENSOR-ASSAY SAMPLE VESSELS WHICH WILL BE USED TO ANALYZE METABOLISM OF VERSATILE AND USEFUL FOR NUMEROUS APPLICATIONS RANGING FROM CLINICAL ASSAYS, TOXICITY TESTS, MICROBIAL RESEARCH, AND PHARMACEUTICAL DEVELOPMENT, TO STERILITY TESTS. ITS VALUE TOWARDS DEVELOPING BIOASSAYS EMPLOYING MICROBES FOR TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ASSAYS HAS WIDESPREAD POTENTIAL.