Biofilm Formation in the 96-Well Microtiter Plate

The microtiter plate (also called 96-well plate) assay for studying biofilm formation is a method which allows for the observation of bacterial adherence to an abiotic surface. In this assay, bacteria are incubated in vinyl “U”-bottom or other types of 96-well microtiter plates. Following incubation, planktonic bacteria are rinsed away, and the remaining adherent bacteria (biofilms) are stained with crystal violet dye, thus allowing visualization of the biofilm. If quantitation is desired, the stained biofilms are solubilized and transferred to a 96-well optically clear flat-bottom plate for measurement by spectrophotometry.