Skip to Content
Merck
HomeApplicationsCell Culture & Cell Culture AnalysisCell Culture by Cell TypeMicrobial Cell Culture

Microbial Cell Culture

Bacterial cell culture on agar plates

Microbial cell cultures are used in molecular biology for cloning and recombinant protein expression. They are also used in clinical applications to isolate, detect, and identify microbes that cause disease. Microbial culturing enables cell growth and division under controlled laboratory conditions. Bacteria and other microbes can be grown in liquid broth or solid nutrient agar culture media using aseptic techniques to prevent contamination.  

Cloning and Recombinant Protein Expression

Bacterial cultures are used for recombinant protein expression, plasmid cloning and amplification, and bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) and cosmid cloning. Bacterial cells can be altered to uptake and incorporate exogenous genes and plasmids through transformation. Transformation of competent cells typically occurs through electroporation or heat shock of chemically-treated competent cells.  

Transformed bacteria are then identified and selected based on acquired antibiotic resistance imparted by recombinant plasmid DNA or using “blue-white” screening to identify recombinant bacteria expressing β-galactosidase as a marker. Yeast can also be transformed using electroporation and other methods for yeast two-hybrid and reporter gene assays to study protein expression and protein interactions.

Cultivation for Microbial Isolation and Identification

Microbial cultures are medically important for the isolation, detection, and differentiation of bacteria and other microbes that cause infectious disease. Characterization and identification using cultivation methods rely on both microbial phenotype and genotype. Cells can be isolated through inoculation of a streak plate to produce pure colonies. Selective media are used to inhibit the growth of certain groups of microbes, allowing others to grow. Differential media contain compounds that enable microbes to be distinguished visually by colony appearance or changes in surrounding media resulting from differences in metabolic or hemolytic activity. These media aid in the identification of bacteria and other microbes through differentiation and elimination.

Related Technical Articles

Related Protocols

  • Competent Cell Protocols
    Technical Article on competent cells. Transformation is a process by which some bacteria take up foreign genetic material (naked DNA) from the environment.
  • Initiating a Starter Culture
    Initiating a Starter Culture
  • Microbial Growth Protocols
    Cultivate E. coli on scales ranging from small cultures to fermentation. Protocols for initiating a starter culture, suspension cells, monoculture, and plating bacteriophage M13 are included.
  • Yeast Transformation Kit
    The selection of plasmids in yeast is based on the use of auxotrophic mutant strains, which cannot grow without a specific medium component (an amino acid, purine, or pyrimidine)
  • Listeria: Surviving Bacteria
    Listeria is a public health concern, affecting elderly, pregnant, newborns, and immunocompromised individuals.
  • See All (7)

Find More Articles and Protocols

Related Applications
Cloning & Expression
Cloning, protein expression vectors and techniques for optimal gene cloning and protein expression systems.
Bioburden Testing
Bioburden testing measures the levels of microbial contamination in water, raw materials, and finished products.
Wastewater & Process Water​ Testing
Wastewater treatment stages and analytical testing methods ensure compliance with regulatory standards for environmental protection.
Mycoplasma Testing in Pharma
Mycoplasmas testing is essential in pharmaceutical culture to detect contamination early and prevent production losses.
Flow Cytometry
Flow cytometry is a powerful molecular and cellular biology tool that enables multi-parametric analysis of individual cells.
Immunohistochemistry
Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is a common immunostaining technique that is used by researchers to identify specific antigens of interest in healthy and diseased tissues.
Protein Mass Spectrometry
An overview of techniques for protein mass spectrometry used in the identification and quantification of proteins, post-translational modifications, glycan profiling, and protein-protein interactions in drug discovery and proteomics research.
PCR Applications
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a technique for amplifying nucleic acid molecules and is commonly used in many applications, including RT-PCR, hot start PCR, end point PCR and more.
Related Product Categories
Microbial Culture Media Raw Materials
Explore our wide range of culture media raw materials and supplements for microbiological purposes. All our raw materials and culture media supplements are safe to handle and ensure optimal performance.
Molecular Cloning & Protein Expression
Molecular cloning and protein expression methods and protocols for reliable cloning and robust protein expression from insect, bacteria, and mammalian protein expression vectors.
Plasmid DNA Purification
Simplify plasmid DNA purification with kits in multiple sizes. Ideal for cloning and protein expression needs.
Antibiotics
We offer a comprehensive portfolio of antibiotics to prevent contamination of cell cultures through pathogens or other cell lines, for genetic marker selection and cell biology research.
Milli-Q® Benchtop Lab Water Purification Systems
Find the water purification system that fits your lab’s needs. Compact Milli-Q® pure and ultrapure benchtop systems can meet your application, quality, volume, space and budget requirements.
Sign In To Continue

To continue reading please sign in or create an account.

Don't Have An Account?