6 Preservation of isolates

Although bacteria may remain viable on the isolation plates for several days, longer-term viability of isolates requires either inoculation onto storage/preservation media (see Section 4.2.1) or an alternative preservation method. The choice of method largely depends on the experimental purpose and the availability of specific equipment and deep freezers.

The length of time that an isolate will remain viable depends on the bacterial species in question. A certain level of cell death during storage is inevitable, but it can be minimised. As a rule, the lower the storage temperature, the longer the viable period.

Activity 10: Storing isolates

Timing: Allow about 10 minutes

Reflect on the reasons to store isolates in your laboratory.

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Discussion

Reference strains for QC (including for AST) are stored in most laboratories. Laboratories may also store isolates of Salmonella and other notifiable agents and periodically submit batches to reference laboratories for typing. Laboratories may also need to participate in surveillance or research programs where their isolates are re-tested in other laboratories.

5.4.5 Whole genome sequencing (WGS)

6.1 At room temperature or in refrigeration