Phage Burst Size Calculator (One-Step Growth)

Phage Burst Size Calculator (One-Step Growth) | Online Free Tool | Elysia Tools

Tool usage guide

Learn when to use this tool, what it supports, and how real users apply it.

Key facts

Category: Health
Input types: number
Output type: json
Sample coverage: 4
API ready: Yes

Overview

The Phage Burst Size Calculator computes average progeny per infected cell from a one-step growth experiment. Enter free phage titer after lysis, phage input at infection, host cell density, and infected-cell percentage to get burst size, net progeny, and a typical-range interpretation.

When to use

After a one-step growth curve when you have post-lysis PFU/mL, input PFU/mL, and host density at infection.
When converting MOI into an infected-cell percentage with Poisson adsorption before reporting burst size.
When comparing isolates or conditions using burst size (PFU per infected cell) rather than raw lysate titer.

How it works

1Enter free phage titer after lysis (PFU/mL) and phage input titer at infection (PFU/mL; 0 is allowed if input is negligible).
2Enter cell density at infection (cells/mL) and infected cells in percent (Poisson guide: MOI 1 ≈ 63%, 2 ≈ 86%, 3 ≈ 95%, 5 ≈ 99%).
3Optionally set decimal places (0–6; default 1).
4The tool calculates net progeny, infected cells, burst size = net PFU ÷ infected cells, and a range note (low, common, high/T4-like, or check if very high).

Use cases

Report burst size from a one-step growth experiment on a new bacteriophage isolate.
Compare hosts, temperatures, or MOI by converting titers into PFU per infected cell.
Apply Poisson MOI guidance so infected-cell counts match the actual adsorbed fraction.

Examples

1. T4-like burst of 100 PFU/cell

Phage lab scientist

Background

A one-step growth on a T4-like phage used mid-log host at 1×10⁸ cells/mL and MOI that left about half the cells infected.

Problem

Convert post-lysis titer and input PFU into burst size with a typical-range check.

How to use

Enter free phage after lysis 5010000000 PFU/mL, input 10000000 PFU/mL, cell density 100000000 cells/mL, infected cells 50%, decimal places 1.

pfuAfterLysis=5010000000, pfuInoculated=10000000, cellDensity=100000000, infectionPercent=50, decimalPlaces=1

Outcome

Burst size ≈ 100.0 PFU/cell from 5×10⁹ net progeny and 5×10⁷ infected cells/mL, interpreted as high (T4-like).

2. Low burst after full infection

Virology student

Background

A small-genome phage was infected at 5×10⁸ cells/mL with enough phage for essentially 100% infection.

Problem

See whether the lysate titer reflects a low burst or leftover input phage.

How to use

Enter free phage after lysis 10010000000 PFU/mL, input 100000000 PFU/mL, cell density 500000000 cells/mL, infected cells 100%, decimal places 1.

FAQ

What formula is used for burst size?

Burst size = (PFU after lysis − PFU inoculated) ÷ infected cells. Infected cells = cell density × (infected % ÷ 100).

How do I choose infected cells (%) from MOI?

Use Poisson adsorption P = 1 − e^(−MOI): MOI 1 ≈ 63%, MOI 2 ≈ 86%, MOI 3 ≈ 95%, MOI 5 ≈ 99%. Enter that percentage.

Can the phage input titer be zero?

Yes. Use 0 when residual input PFU is negligible compared with the post-lysis titer.

How is the result interpreted?

<20 is low (small-genome phage or suboptimal infection); 20–100 is common (λ ≈ 50–100); 100–300 is high (T4-like ≈ 100–200+); >300 may be inflated by secondary adsorption and should be checked.

What units should I enter?

Use PFU/mL for both titers and cells/mL for density so burst size is PFU per infected cell.

pfuAfterLysis=10010000000, pfuInoculated=100000000, cellDensity=500000000, infectionPercent=100, decimalPlaces=1

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Learn when to use this tool, what it supports, and how real users apply it.

Key facts

Overview

When to use

How it works

Use cases

Examples

1. T4-like burst of 100 PFU/cell

2. Low burst after full infection

FAQ

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