Figure 4:

Methods to measure bacteria release and viability of released cells. Complementary strategies can be used based on the budget for analysis balanced against the need for quantitative readout. Methods such as spot assays for colony forming unit (CFU) counting and growth curves are relatively inexpensive but can also be less precise than other methods. Colorimetric assays provide a balance between quantitative results with inexpensive measurement, while flow cytometry, fluorescence microscopy, and transcriptomics can be costly but also provide additional information about the microbes.