In Vivo Assay to Correlate Bacterial Bioluminescence with Cell Density

Source: Brodl, E., et al. In Situ Measurement and Correlation of Cell Density and Light Emission of Bioluminescent Bacteria. J. Vis. Exp. (2018).This video demonstrates the measurement and correlation of bioluminescence with cell density in transformed bacteria. A single bacterial colony is used to initiate a liquid culture. The culture is placed in a well at the desired cell concentration. An antibiotic and inducer are added to express the gene required for bacterial bioluminescence. Readings for absorbance and bioluminescence are taken at regular intervals using a plate reader.