Platform for high throughput cell enumeration

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The equipment required in the present application is aiming at processing numerous cell enumeration analyses for samples where the organisms of interest are in very low numbers. It consist of a manifold and towers for membrane filtration through which a large volume of liquid sample can pass. This improves the detection level compared to traditional plating in Petri dish. Also, the number of colonies that can be counted on the membrane is higher than a Petri dish so less sample dilutions are necessary. The membranes are then incubated on appropriate growth medium and under suitable conditions for the microorganism studied. The main applicant is a meat microbiologist recently recruited by the Faculty of Agriculture and Agri-Food Sciences to develop a new academic and research program in meat. Although she is officially with the Department of Animal Science, her research activities take place in the Department of Food Science and Nutrition. This particular joint venture fosters a strong collaboration between the microbiologists from the two departments as shown by this application.