Presenter(s)

    Caroline Rose Wattles

    Comments

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

    Download

    Download Project (1002 KB)

    Description

    The Tiny Earth Network works to address the decreasing amount of effective antibiotics by testing soil bacteria for antibiotic production. Antibiotics are used in medicine to treat bacterial infections by killing or slowing the growth of bacteria. A threat to the common treatment is antibiotic resistance which has resulted in a health crisis. To combat this, new antibiotics need to be discovered and through the Tiny Earth Initiative bacteria from soil samples are being used as a source. The isolated soil bacteria was tested for antibiotic production against clinical pathogens such as E. coli and S. epidermidis. Laboratory methods such as gram staining, biochemical testing, and 16s rRNA gene sequencing were used to identify the isolated soil bacteria. An organic extract was also prepared from the isolate using ethyl acetate for extraction and methanol as a solvent to confirm the antimicrobial activity and to check for potential toxicity. The methanol solution of the extract was plated onto a water agar plate. Chia seeds were sprinkled onto the plate and left to grow. Chia seed growth indicated the antibiotic extract was not toxic to Eukaryotic organisms while no growth indicated toxicity. Discovery of antibiotic producing bacteria will help the ongoing battle against antibiotic resistance and its effect on bacterial infection treatment options.

    Publication Date

    4-22-2021

    Project Designation

    Course Project

    Primary Advisor

    Jessica Elizabeth 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

    Isolating Antibiotic Producing Pseudomonas From Soil

    Share

    COinS