> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.sbtinstruments.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.sbtinstruments.com/mpd/why-use-bactobox-r.md).

# Why use BactoBox®

The short answer: Because BactoBox® measures real [bacterial growth](/mpd/cell-growth/growth-phases.md). No proxies. No guesswork.

BactoBox® helps whether you are trying to:

* [Broken mention](broken://pages/C6YcpyFfVcFZsMakakP2)
* [Broken mention](broken://pages/p621fpSADrEkfyuT5b5s)
* [Broken mention](broken://pages/Tvr51NO5VXFx6QvI0tg8)

BactoBox® fits into all key steps in your upstream [bioprocess](/mpd/encyclopedia/bioprocess.md): 🌱 Seed, 🌿 growth, and 🌽 harvest.

## With and without BactoBox®

Once you use BactoBox® in your workflows, it's easy to forget what life was like before. This table serves as a reminder.

| Workflow                                                                                             | Without BactoBox®                                                                                  | With BactoBox®                                                                       |
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| <p><strong>Optimize starter culture</strong><br>⚙️ Optimization<br>🌱 Seed</p>                       | TODO                                                                                               | One-shot setup of high quality culture (OptiSeeding)                                 |
| <p><strong>Inoculate an overnight culture</strong><br>⚙️ Optimization<br>🌱 Seed</p>                 |                                                                                                    |                                                                                      |
| <p><strong>Track growth curve</strong><br>💡 Insight<br>🌿 Growth</p>                                | <p>Use plate counts (CFU), which is time consuming.<br>Use OD, which is an indirect proxy.<br></p> | Use cells/mL, which is the direct cell count.                                        |
| <p><strong>Assess growth rate in different media</strong><br>💡 Insight<br>🌿 Growth</p>             |                                                                                                    |                                                                                      |
| <p><strong>Assess carrying capacity in different media</strong><br>💡 Insight<br>🌿 Growth</p>       |                                                                                                    |                                                                                      |
| <p><strong>Optimize harvest point</strong><br>⚙️ Optimization<br>🌽 Harvest</p>                      | TODO                                                                                               | Get X % better yield/titer                                                           |
| <p><strong>Decide when to harvest during a cultivation</strong><br>⚙️ Optimization<br>🌽 Harvest</p> |                                                                                                    |                                                                                      |
| <p><strong>Predict when to harvest during a production</strong><br>⏲️️ Prediction<br>🌽 Harvest</p>  |                                                                                                    | Just a couple of initial measurements predict the optimal harvest time for the batch |
| <p><strong>Assess onset and conclusion of sporulation</strong><br>💡 Insight<br>🌽 Harvest</p>       |                                                                                                    |                                                                                      |
| **Consistent bacterial cell banking**                                                                |                                                                                                    |                                                                                      |
| **Design seed train**                                                                                |                                                                                                    |                                                                                      |
| **Optimize feed profile in fed-batch**                                                               |                                                                                                    |                                                                                      |
| **Assess exact number of doublings in CRISPRi workflows**                                            |                                                                                                    |                                                                                      |


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