Abstract

Devices for Isolation and Cultivation of Bacteria

Edgar Goluch, Associate Professor, Northeastern University

The vast majority of bacterial species in environment as well as inside of our bodies have never been isolated and studied in a laboratory. While ‘omic techniques are providing incredible insights about microbial cells and populations, functions and interactions remain largely unknown. In this talk, I will present several iterations of microfluidic devices that my group has developed for isolating and culturing bacteria. These devices are being used to create libraries of cultivars that can be screened for production of novel compounds and metabolic processes, as well as for providing a better fundamental understanding of the role that bacteria play in human health and the environment.