Methods and devices useful for reprogramming microbial cells to grow under different culture conditions are provided. The methods and devices can be used to prepare cultures of new, previously uncharacterized microbial species and for identifying laboratory conditions to culture, propagate, and study microbes that do not grow under standard laboratory conditions. The invention is also useful for characterizing microbiota, such as the communities of microorganisms inhabiting the human body and natural environments such as soil.
