Bacteria Media Optimization Using In Silico Strategies

By Andrea Rabellino, Ph.D., Sacco System Australia

Traditionally, media composition has been determined experimentally by trying different formulation solutions — a trial-and-error progression that often wastes personnel resources, money, and time. However, it is a common misconception that bacteria media optimization can only be achieved via a classic experimental approach. The in silico analysis of bacteria metabolisms using publicly available informatic tools streamlines the process of media preparation, tailoring media composition based on the bacteria’s metabolic requirements/characteristics.

An in silico approach improves bacteria growth in the lab while simultaneously reducing the use of media components not relevant to the growth of the target bacteria species/strain. By eliminating trial-and-error steps, an in silico approach also reduces the time and expense required to determine the best growth options. Specifically, the testing analyzes what a given bacteria strain can do based on its genome, determines the type of nutrients those bacteria can metabolize, and confirms optimal growth conditions for that to occur. In other cases, specific growth conditions are required for their use in the biotech industry.