Impact of Electromagnetic Radiation on Measurements of Optical Density of E.coli

Recent studies show that optical density in E.coli is affected by electromagnetic energy. Cells were cultured under controlled conditions, so any changes in optical density could be detected when comparing the exposed sample to the control sample. One sample was exposed to a static magnetic field while the other sample was grown in slowly varying magnetic field. After a period of 48 hours of growth, the optical density of both samples was measured by scanning from 350-950 nm. Small changes in the OD were detected. It is likely that magnetic field effects could impact the cell or environmental conditions that could explain the changes in OD.