Start Date
28-4-2022 12:00 PM
Document Type
Poster
Description
Bacteria have been known to coexist in a wide variety of environments, including soil, for a very long time. By studying the physiological and biological aspects of bacteria, it is revealed they can be utilized to combat a wide range of infections caused by bacteria. However, this can pose problems when using bacteria to treat other bacteria. This is because the more we use an antibiotic to fight an infection the greater risk of antibiotic resistance occurring. In other words, an antibiotic that was once effective to treat an infection can no longer do so because it has adapted to the bacteria and is no longer effective. Based on my analysis of a soil sample collected from Linwood, Kansas, I have identified one candidate and described its characteristics through several parameters. I will also show how the soil sample was isolated, the specific candidate, the testing against other bacteria, and the genetic and metabolic tests conducted to identify the bacteria selected. This research will be submitted to Tiny Earth Network, a program that works with many students to discover new antibiotics.
The Search for A New Antibiotic Lurking in Our Soil
Bacteria have been known to coexist in a wide variety of environments, including soil, for a very long time. By studying the physiological and biological aspects of bacteria, it is revealed they can be utilized to combat a wide range of infections caused by bacteria. However, this can pose problems when using bacteria to treat other bacteria. This is because the more we use an antibiotic to fight an infection the greater risk of antibiotic resistance occurring. In other words, an antibiotic that was once effective to treat an infection can no longer do so because it has adapted to the bacteria and is no longer effective. Based on my analysis of a soil sample collected from Linwood, Kansas, I have identified one candidate and described its characteristics through several parameters. I will also show how the soil sample was isolated, the specific candidate, the testing against other bacteria, and the genetic and metabolic tests conducted to identify the bacteria selected. This research will be submitted to Tiny Earth Network, a program that works with many students to discover new antibiotics.
Comments
The faculty mentor for this project was Heather Seitz, Biology.