Streaking method

streaking method

the most commonly used method to isolate strain originating from a single cell

streaking methods share a common principle:

spreading a large number of cells over an agar plate in a sequential manner until they are well separated

each streak is

numbered and colored to indicate order to application

after streaking, the plate is

incubated and cells start dividing and forming colonies

the colonies consist of

genetically identical clones originating in single cells

isolated colonies tend to grow

larger than those is close proximity and less competition of nutrients

isolated colonies offer

an opportunity to establish a pure culture (a genetically identical bacterial population) suitable for further in-depth study in either liquid or solid media

what else can also provide useful information for identification

motility or morphology of the colony