Discovery of Antimicrobials from Soil Samples
Advisor(s)
Dr. John Thurmond, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy
Location
Room B125
Start Date
26-4-2019 10:05 AM
End Date
26-4-2019 10:20 AM
Abstract
Superbugs are becoming more and more of a problem in the modern world. These superbugs, resistant to most known antibiotics and antimicrobials, cause well known drugs to be less effective. Though there are corporate pharmaceutical companies developing new drugs, many of these companies are focused on products that will make them the most money rather than what is required by society. The purpose of this study is to identify possible antimicrobials from soil samples around the IMSA campus. The soil samples were diluted to isolate its different bacteria, and master plates were made from these colonies. These master plates were subjected to spread-patch testing to test for any visible inhibition against safe-to-handle ESKAPE pathogens. At least three zones of inhibition were spotted against the specific bacteria, though more testing is needed to see if the samples will produce the same results with different bacteria. After this, certain samples of each plate were PCR tested to be seen if they could be identified. After some preliminary testing, these samples were sent off to a laboratory. We have yet to receive our samples back from the testing laboratory.
Discovery of Antimicrobials from Soil Samples
Room B125
Superbugs are becoming more and more of a problem in the modern world. These superbugs, resistant to most known antibiotics and antimicrobials, cause well known drugs to be less effective. Though there are corporate pharmaceutical companies developing new drugs, many of these companies are focused on products that will make them the most money rather than what is required by society. The purpose of this study is to identify possible antimicrobials from soil samples around the IMSA campus. The soil samples were diluted to isolate its different bacteria, and master plates were made from these colonies. These master plates were subjected to spread-patch testing to test for any visible inhibition against safe-to-handle ESKAPE pathogens. At least three zones of inhibition were spotted against the specific bacteria, though more testing is needed to see if the samples will produce the same results with different bacteria. After this, certain samples of each plate were PCR tested to be seen if they could be identified. After some preliminary testing, these samples were sent off to a laboratory. We have yet to receive our samples back from the testing laboratory.