Difference between revisions of "PhiX:Serial dilution"

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m (Procedure)
 
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==Summary==
 
==Summary==
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This protocol describes how to prepare serial dilutions in order to enumerate phage from a stock solution. Before you begin you should also prepare for the [[PhiX:Plaque assay | double agar plaque assay]] onto which fresh dilutions should be plated.
  
'''PHAGE SOLUTION'''<br>
+
==Procedure==
Titer = x pfu/ml<br>
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'''Stock Solution'''<br>
OR =  y pfu in z ul<br>
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The stock solution has a titer = x PFU/ml (PFU = plaque forming units)<br>
 +
Alternatively =  y PFU in z ul<br>
  
'''SERIAL DILUTION'''<br>
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'''Serial Dilution Procedure'''<br>
Add 100ul (10<sup>-1</sup>x) phage to 900ul HFB and mix -> tube #1<br>
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1. Prepare a set of labelled tubes from #1 to #8. Fill each tube with 900ul of HFB (or PBS will suffice and we sometimes add DMSO as a cryoprotectant for immediate freezing).<br>
Transfer 100ul (10<sup>-2</sup>x) #1 to 900ul HFB and mix -> tube #2<br>
+
2. Add 100ul (10<sup>-1</sup>x) stock phage to 900ul HFB and mix -> tube #1<br>
Transfer 100ul (10<sup>-3</sup>x) #2 to 900ul HFB and mix -> tube #3<br>
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3. Transfer 100ul (10<sup>-2</sup>x) #1 to 900ul HFB and mix -> tube #2<br>
and so on...<br>
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4. Transfer 100ul (10<sup>-3</sup>x) #2 to 900ul HFB and mix -> tube #3<br>
 +
And so on... Do not forget to change tips and mix between transfers. <br>
  
'''PLATING'''<br>
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'''Plating'''<br>
 
Tube #1 -> plate 100ul (1/10) -> 10<sup>-2</sup>x<br>
 
Tube #1 -> plate 100ul (1/10) -> 10<sup>-2</sup>x<br>
 
Tube #2 -> plate 100ul (1/10) -> 10<sup>-3</sup>x<br>
 
Tube #2 -> plate 100ul (1/10) -> 10<sup>-3</sup>x<br>
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and so on...<br>
 
and so on...<br>
  
'''MATHS'''<br>
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==Arithmetic==
 +
The number of plaques on any given plate can be used to back-calculate the titer of the original stock. You should choose plates with plaque counts between 30 and 300.<br>
 +
 
 
E.g. count n plaques on plate from 10<sup>-7</sup>x plate:<br>
 
E.g. count n plaques on plate from 10<sup>-7</sup>x plate:<br>
x = n * 10<sup>-7</sup><br>
+
x = n / 10<sup>-7</sup><br>
 +
x = n * 10<sup>+7</sup><br>
 
OR, if z = 200ul (e.g., mutagenesis)<br>
 
OR, if z = 200ul (e.g., mutagenesis)<br>
y = (n * 10<sup>-7</sup>) * 200/1000
+
y = (n * 10<sup>+7</sup>) * 200/1000<br><br>
 
+
For a diagrammatic version of these calculations see:<br>
[[File:dilution.jpg]]
+
[[File:dilution.pdf]]

Latest revision as of 11:06, 20 February 2017

Summary

This protocol describes how to prepare serial dilutions in order to enumerate phage from a stock solution. Before you begin you should also prepare for the double agar plaque assay onto which fresh dilutions should be plated.

Procedure

Stock Solution
The stock solution has a titer = x PFU/ml (PFU = plaque forming units)
Alternatively = y PFU in z ul

Serial Dilution Procedure
1. Prepare a set of labelled tubes from #1 to #8. Fill each tube with 900ul of HFB (or PBS will suffice and we sometimes add DMSO as a cryoprotectant for immediate freezing).
2. Add 100ul (10-1x) stock phage to 900ul HFB and mix -> tube #1
3. Transfer 100ul (10-2x) #1 to 900ul HFB and mix -> tube #2
4. Transfer 100ul (10-3x) #2 to 900ul HFB and mix -> tube #3
And so on... Do not forget to change tips and mix between transfers.

Plating
Tube #1 -> plate 100ul (1/10) -> 10-2x
Tube #2 -> plate 100ul (1/10) -> 10-3x
Tube #3 -> plate 100ul (1/10) -> 10-4x
and so on...

Arithmetic

The number of plaques on any given plate can be used to back-calculate the titer of the original stock. You should choose plates with plaque counts between 30 and 300.

E.g. count n plaques on plate from 10-7x plate:
x = n / 10-7
x = n * 10+7
OR, if z = 200ul (e.g., mutagenesis)
y = (n * 10+7) * 200/1000

For a diagrammatic version of these calculations see:
File:Dilution.pdf