cell spreader
{{Short description|Laboratory tool for bacteria}}
In microbiology, a cell spreader or plate spreader is a tool used to smoothly spread cells and bacteria on a culture plate, such as a petri dish. Cell spreaders can be made from glass, plastic, or metal, and come in various shapes.
A Drigalski spatula is a cell spreader consisting of a cylindrical rod or wire bent in the shape of a triangle with a handle.Ronald Westphal (1988): [http://www.unesco.org/education/pdf/321_20.pdf Microbiological Techniques in School], page 34. Document No. 28 in the series Science and Technology Education.(2019): "[https://www.assistent.eu/en/product/drigalski-spatulas-made-of-glass/ Item 41049: Drigalski spatulas made of glass]". Assistent (Karl Hecht) online catalog. Accessed on 2019-10-25.(2019): "[https://www.marienfeld-superior.com/spatula-drigalski.html Product 1800024: Drigalski spatula]". Marienfeld-Superior online catalog. Accessed on 2019-10-25. Another variant is a rod bent in L-shape.(2019): "[https://www.rogosampaic.com/en/laboratory-equipment/l-shape-bacteriology-loops-pp-5-pcs-ce-ivd/ Product BRG005: L-Shape Bacteriology Loop] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191026010829/https://www.rogosampaic.com/en/laboratory-equipment/l-shape-bacteriology-loops-pp-5-pcs-ce-ivd/ |date=2019-10-26 }}". Rogo-Sampaic online catalog. Accessed on 2019-10-25. Extrusion molded versions can be T-shaped.(2019): "[https://www.weberscientific.com/sterile-t-shaped-cell-spreaders Item 3044-55: Sterile T-shaped cell spreaders]". Weber Scientific online catalog. Accessed on 2019-10-25.
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Uses
Drop cells or bacteria at the center of the dish. Researchers can then place the spreader on top of the dish and, without applying much pressure, swirl the spreader around on the dish to evenly distribute the cells or bacteria.{{Cite web|url=http://www.chemistry.ucla.edu/sites/default/files/safety/sop/SOP_Spreading_Bacterial_Cultures.pdf|title=Standard Operating Procedure|last=|first=|date=|website=|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.chemistry.ucla.edu/sites/default/files/safety/sop/SOP_Spreading_Bacterial_Cultures.pdf|archive-date=2022-10-09|access-date=|url-status=dead}}
= Sterilization =
Before using a cell spreader, if the spreader is made from glass or metal, researchers must sterilize the spreader by submerging it in alcohol or ethanol and later burning the alcohol off by placing the spreader in a Bunsen burner flame to eliminate microorganisms.{{Cite web|url=https://www.phys.ksu.edu/gene/g1.html|title=Laboratory Methods|website=www.phys.ksu.edu|access-date=2017-03-09}}
After each use, the spreader should be placed in alcohol or ethanol to keep it clean and prevent it from being contaminated with unwanted particles.
Disposable cell spreaders made of plastic are usually not subject to sterilization, but discarded.