Ivano de Filippis writes,
<Our reference collection includes several strains of P. fluorescens, P.
aeruginosa, P. putida, P. cepacia (B. cepacia) and P. mallei (B. mallei),
which are all freeze-dried with 10% Skim Milk. Some of them were
reeze-dried in 1983 and are still alive (kept at -20 C). Personally I
think that for most bacteria, lyophilization is the best method for
preservation.>
OK, yes, lyophilized cultures are a good idea too. In fact, I almost
suggested that Mr. Harling see about getting lyophilized reference
strains from an organization like ATCC, but I think what he was after was
preserving the organisms he had isolated himself from his plant leaves -
so I suggested he make cryovial freeze cultures from his isolates. Are
the reference strains you mention here yours (that you and/or others in
your lab made yourselves from organisms you isolated) or did you buy them
from a culture collection organization?
A last question before I leave - since my own experience with
lyophilization only consists of reconstituting ATCC's vials of
lyophilized organism (to prepare freeze cultures from, in fact), could
you tell me where I can read up on how to lyophilize?
Infectionately,
Yersinia.
Mycelium is Yourcelium. :-)
