Measurement of structured microbial population dynamics by flow microfluorometry

Commercial microbiological processes frequently contain dispersed microorganisms which are heterogeneous in their age, size, and composition. Relative protein and nucleic acid contents of individual bacteria in Bacillus subtilis submerged cultures have been measured experimentally using laser flow microfluorometry. Marginal and joint population composition density data and their complex patterns of evolution during batch growth provide an impetus and emerging basis for a new generation of potentially robust mathematical models of microbial systems.