Growth and analysis of anaerobic wastewater methanogens using microfluidics

A micro-bioreactor ($\mu $BR) with a total system volume of 5 $\mu $l was developed using microfluidics and used to study the anaerobic waste-water methanogen \textit{methanosaeta concilli}. The $\mu $BR was contained inside of an anaerobic chamber designed to be placed directly under an inverted light microscope while maintaining the reactor under a N$_{2}$/CO$_{2}$ gas mixture. Methanogens were cultured for periods of up to 3 months inside channels of varying width. The varying channel widths created varying fluid velocities and hence varying shear-rates inside the $\mu $BR. This allowed for direct study of the behavior and response of the anaerobe to varying shear-rates. After completion of the study, \textit{fluorescent in situ hybridization} (FISH) was performed directly inside the microchannels to allow for further analysis and identification of the methanogens.