Kristen Brenner, Ph.D. (Retired)

National Exposure Research Laboratory

Dr. Brenner’s patented invention, Method 1604 (MI Medium), is a USEPA-approved membrane filtration method using MI agar or MI broth for the simultaneous detection of  two indicator organisms (Total coliforms and Escherichia coli) in drinking water, source water, ground water, and ambient water in 24 hours or less.  Indicator organisms demonstrate the possible presence of pathogens (disease-producing microorganisms) in the water.  The MI Medium Method can also be used with other types of environmental samples.  When it was introduced, the MI Medium method solved several known limitations of existing test methods, including the need for multiple media; multiple incubation times and temperatures; lower recoveries and specificity; increased non-specific background organisms; increased false positive and negative rates; and increased labor and supply costs.   Dr. Brenner’s method is one of several being used to ensure water quality and safety in the U.S. and other countries. Dr. Brenner was among the first to develop simultaneous testing and enumeration of E. coli and total coliforms in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The MI medium was available through licensees who were major players in the industry in 2004. The EPA-developed Method 1604 has and continues to play a part in improved public health decisions and outcomes.

Patents:

• Membrane filter agar medium containing two enzyme substrates used for the simultaneous detection of total coliforms and E. coli Patent 6,063,590
• Membrane filter agar medium for simultaneous detection of total coliforms and E. coli Patent 6,306,621
• Method for detection of total coliforms and E. coli Patent 6,670,145
• Improved method for detection for total coliforms and E. coli Patent 7,148,033

Photos:

Dr. Brenner collecting a water sample at Stonelick Lake in Ohio in 1998, taking the water temperature before dipping the jug in the water.	MI agar under ambient light and under longwave fluorescent light to show the blue E. coli and the fluorescent total coliforms, respectively.  This method was Dr. Brenner's invention.

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