[1] Petri initially studied medicine at the Kaiser Wilhelm Academy for Military Physicians (1871–1875) and received his medical degree in 1876.

He continued his studies at the Charité Hospital in Berlin where his thesis on the chemistry of protein urine tests earned him his doctorate.

The dish is partially filled with warm liquid containing agar, and a mixture of specific ingredients that may include nutrients, blood, salts, carbohydrates, dyes, indicators, amino acids and antibiotics.

Scientists had long been growing cells in natural and synthetic matrix environments to elicit phenotypes that are not expressed on conventionally rigid substrates.

[5] Not only was Petri responsible for many innovations and inventions, he also published a variety of papers including 150 on the topic of bacteriology and hygiene, which contributed significantly to information and concepts related to them.

[5] Petri's papers detailed a number of steps in understanding microbiology, not limited to the study of microorganisms but also including biological pathways and mechanisms.