Start Date
27-4-2023 12:00 PM
Document Type
Poster
Description
In the past century, scientists discovered that bacteria and fungi produce a secondary metabolite called antibiotics that we can get from the soil. Most antibiotics originate from the ground, where thousands of microorganisms live. Antibiotics help control the bacteria, but the overuse of these antibiotics can be less effective because bacteria can adapt and overcome the drugs. This research aims to discover a new antibiotic that does not exist. Our society is facing a problem due to the rising cases of drug resistance. Healthcare facilities have a problem with ESKAPE pathogens that can cause life-threatening infections. Therefore, it is crucial to research a new soil sample to find inhibition for a potential candidate for the antibiotic. In January, I collected soil from our front yard to do a serial dilution to estimate the concentration of the microbes and the number of colonies. Then I isolated the colonies until I found a suitable candidate that showed inhibition for a potential antibiotic candidate. Then I screened against the ESKAPE relatives to find candidates that showed inhibitions until I narrowed them down and found a viable candidate for my streak plate to see a pure sample. The microorganism I chose had continuously shown consistent inhibition from the Safe relevant RS6. Still, the RS6 candidate was not showing inhibition from the safe relevant Acenibacter bylyi. The pure sample is still in the process of incubation and will conduct further studies. All the data collected for this research could lead to finding a potential antibiotic candidate.
Image
Searching for New Antibiotics in the Soil
In the past century, scientists discovered that bacteria and fungi produce a secondary metabolite called antibiotics that we can get from the soil. Most antibiotics originate from the ground, where thousands of microorganisms live. Antibiotics help control the bacteria, but the overuse of these antibiotics can be less effective because bacteria can adapt and overcome the drugs. This research aims to discover a new antibiotic that does not exist. Our society is facing a problem due to the rising cases of drug resistance. Healthcare facilities have a problem with ESKAPE pathogens that can cause life-threatening infections. Therefore, it is crucial to research a new soil sample to find inhibition for a potential candidate for the antibiotic. In January, I collected soil from our front yard to do a serial dilution to estimate the concentration of the microbes and the number of colonies. Then I isolated the colonies until I found a suitable candidate that showed inhibition for a potential antibiotic candidate. Then I screened against the ESKAPE relatives to find candidates that showed inhibitions until I narrowed them down and found a viable candidate for my streak plate to see a pure sample. The microorganism I chose had continuously shown consistent inhibition from the Safe relevant RS6. Still, the RS6 candidate was not showing inhibition from the safe relevant Acenibacter bylyi. The pure sample is still in the process of incubation and will conduct further studies. All the data collected for this research could lead to finding a potential antibiotic candidate.
Comments
The faculty mentor for this project was Heather Seitz, Biology.