Petri dishes - a tool essential in microbiology
Petri dishes are relatively small, transparent, cylindrical containers with a flat bottom and tight-fit cover, invented in 1887 by a German bacteriologist, Julius Richard Petri. Since then, they have become an integral item in the work of scientists, in the field of microbiology in particular. The main objective of using Petri dishes is the culture of microorganisms, such as bacteria, fungi or viruses. Owing to their transparency and tightness, they enable monitoring microbial colony growth and maintaining appropriate environmental conditions, such as humidity or temperature.
Experiments involving Petri dishes
Petri dishes are employed not only in microbiology, but also other scientific areas, such as molecular biology, genetics or biochemistry. Laboratories often employ them for conducting various experiments that may require monitoring the growth and development of cells or organisms. Examples of such an experiment including studying the impact of different chemical substances on bacterial growth - to this end, both a bacterial culture and the research substance are applied on a Petri dish, followed by observing changes in colony growth. Petri dishes offered by NOEX, a manufacturer of laboratory products, can also be used to isolate specific microbial strains or select cells with specified features.
Alternative uses of Petri dishes
Although Petri dishes are primarily used for microbial culture, researchers employ them also for other purposes. Examples include using Petri dishes as substrate for electrophoresis - a method for separating particles based on their size and electric charge. Petri dishes can also act as containers for storing chemical or biological samples that require tightness and protection against contamination. It should also be added that Petri dishes also find application in art or education - as a tool for experiments or creating art installations.
