Minibioreactor arrays (MBRAs) as a tool for studying c. diffi cile physiology in the presence of a complex community

Abstract

The commensal microbiome plays an important role in the dynamics of Clostridium diffi cile infection. In this chapter, we describe minibioreactor arrays (MBRAs), an in vitro cultivation system that we developed that allows for C. diffi cile physiology to be assayed in the presence of complex fecal microbial communities. The small size of the bioreactors within the MBRAs allows for dozens of reactors to be run simultaneously and therefore several different variables can be tested with limited time and cost. When coupled with experiments in animal models of C. diffi cile infection, MBRAs can provide important insights into C. diffi cile physiology and pathogenesis.