Isolating Antibiotic Producing Organism from the Environment
Antibiotics are an important molecule that originated from bacteria and fungi which are able to benefit both humans and microbes. Microbes produce antibiotics for numerous reasons, but they all pertain to survival. In most cases, soil microbes, such as bacteria and fungi, are the primary producers of antibiotics. The objective of this study is to collect five different soil samples across State College, Pennsylvania and then isolate microorganisms from the soil samples. These microorganisms were tested against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus epidermidis in order to see if the isolated microbe produced an antibiotic that was able to inhibit the growth of a Gram-Positive, Gram-Negative, or both Gram species. An isolated microbe was identified from Sample D Bluecourse Cornfield in State College that produced a weak antibiotic against E.coli, but was unable to inhibit the growth of S. epidermidis. After multiple rounds of testing the microbe isolated from Sample D to confirm if it inhibited E.coli, biochemical assays were performed where the microbe was identified as Bacillus subtilis. New soil microbes that produce antibiotics are an advancement towards finding a new antibiotic to fight against antibiotic resistance organisms.
What has this experience done for Kyle?
The Isolating Antibiotic Producing project allowed Kyle to gain multiple valuable skills that will help him in the future. First, this project allowed Kyle to gain experience in the research design project. This project was done for a microbiology courses at his time at Penn State. One of the requirements for the project was to make a research proposal where it contained any test that would be performed, any resources needed, a timeline and more. Working on this project allowed Kyle to gain experience in understanding research literature, presenting his findings, working in a team, making media, collecting samples that all are important for the microbiology field. This project allowed him to gain important skills that he would be continuing to grow.