Presenter(s)

Madyson Jean Myers

Comments

This project reflects research conducted as part of a course project designed to give students experience in the research process. Course: BIO 411L 03

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Description

Antibiotics are used around the world to treat a variety of bacterial infections and diseases. Due to this wide usage, bacteria have built up antibiotic resistance that has caused many antibiotics to be an ineffective form of treatment. As more bacteria become resistant to common antibiotics, there is a rising demand for research in this field, and a need for the production of new and effective antibiotics. Antibiotics can be produced synthetically, but they may also be isolated from bacteria colonies displaying antimicrobial activities. When placed in an environment that has limited resources or where a pathogen is present, bacteria will produce antimicrobials in order to combat infection or fight off competition. In correlation with the Small World Initiative, the goal of this research is to observe bacteria isolates from soil samples and determine if any isolates display antimicrobial activities and if those antimicrobials can be extracted from the bacteria. Bacteria will be isolated from soil on UD property and reduced to pure cultures. Antimicrobial activities will be indicated through zones of inhibition produced in the presence of clinically relevant pathogens such as Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus epidermis. Bacteria that exhibit antimicrobial activity will be identified through further examination using a series of biochemical tests including gram staining, and catalase testing etc.. Identifying bacteria exhibiting antimicrobial activity is necessary to combat rising antibiotic resistance and in developing new antibiotics.

Publication Date

4-22-2020

Project Designation

Course Project

Primary Advisor

Jessica Geyer, Yvonne Y. Sun

Primary Advisor's Department

Biology

Keywords

Stander Symposium project, College of Arts and Sciences

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

Good Health and Well-Being

Antimicrobial Activity of Soil Isolates

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