> 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/workflows/get-starter-cultures/from-agar-plate-colony.md).

# From agar plate colony

| Skill level                            | Time to complete                                                | Hands-on time                                   | Requirements                                                                                                                                                         |
| -------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| :school\_satchel: No skill requirement | <i class="fa-hourglass">:hourglass:</i> 16-24 hours (*E. coli*) | <i class="fa-stopwatch">:stopwatch:</i> 3 hours | <i class="fa-hard-drive">:hard-drive:</i> [7.6a](/item-register/bactobox-r/bactobox-r-hardware-changelog.md) <i class="fa-floppy-disk">:floppy-disk:</i> ≥ v2026.02a |

A fresh colony from an agar plate is a good starting point to ensure a single-species (axenic) culture. The standard workflow uses overnight incubation of the liquid culture, but it is often possible to get a same-day starter culture from an agar plate (see hint box).

<figure><img src="/files/mNhgQwJGKWRER6VElGy9" alt=""><figcaption><p>Illustration of workflow. A fresh colony is collected and transferrred to a capture tube. Cell clumps are disaggregated using bead-beater or vortex mixer. Finally, a sample of capture tube is diluted and subjected to BactoBox® measurement.</p></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="info" icon="sneaker-running" %}

## Get a same-day starter culture

* If you want a same-day starter culture, try using higher seeding concentration, e.g. 5× 10<sup>7</sup> cells/mL.
* Check the liquid culture frequently for increase in cell concentration, e.g. for each 2 hours.
* We recommend that - prior to use - the active starter culture should have cell concentration is at least tenfold higher than at T<sub>0</sub>.
  {% endhint %}

The protocol assumes that you have already used the [streak plate method](https://microbenotes.com/streak-plate-method-principle-methods-significance-limitations/) to get fresh colonies on an agar plate. The steps are outlined below.

1. [Get things ready](/mpd/workflows/get-starter-cultures/from-agar-plate-colony/get-things-ready.md)
2. [Collect and disperse bacteria from agar plate](/mpd/workflows/get-starter-cultures/from-agar-plate-colony/collect-and-disperse.md)
3. [Determine cells/mL in harvest tube](/mpd/workflows/get-starter-cultures/from-agar-plate-colony/determine-concentration.md)
4. [Inoculate liquid culture](/mpd/workflows/get-starter-cultures/from-agar-plate-colony/inoculate-liquid-culture.md)
5. [Determine concentration of overnight culture](/mpd/workflows/get-starter-cultures/from-agar-plate-colony/determine-concentration-after-incubation.md)

Next, the [get things ready](/mpd/workflows/get-starter-cultures/from-agar-plate-colony/get-things-ready.md) section will provide you with a check-list of necessary items.


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://help.sbtinstruments.com/mpd/workflows/get-starter-cultures/from-agar-plate-colony.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.