> 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/not-in-the-new-structure/measure-overnight-culture/summary.md). # Summary In this tutorial you learned how to prepare a dense bacterial culture for BactoBox® measurements. After thorough disaggregation[^1] and 1:10,000 dilution, you got a **fast result**. ## Calculate cell concentration of non-diluted suspension The BactoBox® result was for the diluted sample. Always remember to multiply the obtained result with the dilution factor to get the concentration of the non-diluted suspension.

BactoBox® dilution	BactoBox® concentration	Non-diluted suspension
10 000	540 000 cells/mL	10 000 × 540 000 cells/mL = 5.4 × 10⁹ cells/mL

## BactoBox® skills After successfully completing this tutorial you have acquired the following skills: Disaggregate[^1] bacterial clumps by vortexing Make a 1:10 000 dilution of a dense bacterial culture and measure on BactoBox® Calculate cell concentrations of the non-diluted bacterial suspension ## Proper disaggregation is extremely important Disaggregation[^1] of cell clumps is important for any bacterial enumeration method. But it is especially important for BactoBox® measurements. The measurement channel in the flow cell will only accommodate objects smaller than 5 µm spherical diameter. Larger objects will stay in the bypass channel. Clumpy, bacterial suspensions will be severely underestimated on BactoBox® unless proper disaggregation[^1] is done. Vortex works well for most liquid cultures of bacteria, but sometimes you need more advanced sample workup to [Break up clumps and chains](/advanced/advanced-sample-preparation/break-up-clumps-and-chains.md).

## Next steps This, second tutorial was a simple introduction on how to measure a concentrated bacterial culture on BactoBox®. We have a third and last tutorial on cell measurements for you: [Track growth curve](/not-in-the-new-structure/measure-vitroid-tm-growth-curve.md). In this tutorial you will inoculate LB medium using a Vitroids™ disc (or an in-house *E. coli* cryo stock). After a few hours of incubation you will use BactoBox® to track a beautiful growth curve. We will soon have a third and last tutorial on cell measurements for you. In this tutorial you will inoculate LB medium using a Vitroids™ disc (or an in-house *E. coli* cryo stock). After a few hours of incubation you will use BactoBox® to track a beautiful growth curve. [^1]: Break up clumps or chains of cells --- # 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 by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the following URL with the `ask` and `goal` query parameters: ``` GET https://help.sbtinstruments.com/not-in-the-new-structure/measure-overnight-culture/summary.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is what the user is ultimately trying to achieve, the reason they need the answer. Sharing it helps GitBook give you a better, more relevant answer. A goal is most helpful when it describes the outcome the user wants rather than restating the question. For example, with `ask=how do I create an API token`, a goal like `automate deployments from our CI pipeline` lets GitBook tailor the answer to that use case. 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.