Victoria Droge
New antibiotics are needed because antibiotic resistance is becoming a growing problem in the world. The purpose of this research is to find bacteria that can inhibit, or stop, the growth of the ESKAPE relatives, then find the metabolic gene clusters that stop the growth, and eventually use this to develop new antibiotics. As a continuation of two previous students’ research, I am getting the bacteria to re-inhibit the ESKAPE relative, performing biochemical tests, and getting the bacteria sequenced. After plating the bacteria on nutrient agar, then 50% nutrient agar, they are inhibiting the ESKAPE relatives again. Using a soil DNA extraction kit, the DNA of Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus pumilus was extracted. Two samples were taken of each bacteria. Then, each sample was put into a spectrophotometer to analyze the DNA and protein concentrations. Sample 1, Bacillus subtilis was 33.1for the concentration of genomic DNA per microliter. Sample 2, also Bacillus subtilis, was 25.2 for the concentration of genomic DNA per microliter. Sample 3, Bacillus pumilus was 22.3 for the concentration of genomic DNA per microliter. Sample 4, also Bacillus pumilus, 24.1for the concentration of genomic DNA per microliter. The DNA was sent to a lab to be sequenced. While waiting for the results, I will be performing biochemical tests to better understand the bacteria. The next steps are to find the mechanism that inhibits the ESKAPE relate, and try to turn it into an antibiotic.
Wow! What an ambitious project! Thank you for sharing your experience, Victoria and for clearly demonstrating what the research process is like: making good use of every opportunity to learn even when the bacteria are not behaving the way researchers were anticipating! It’s exciting to know that you have many more years of research ahead of you, having been able to identify what you are passionate about. Well done!