Bernie Guzick

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention found that more than 2.8 million antibiotic-

resistant infections occur in the U.S. each year, and more than 35,000 people die as a result. The

threat to human life is real and only furthering microbial research can decrease the rate of death

by antibiotic-resistant infections. The Tiny Earth movement was created to make a difference

within microbiology and to unlock the discovery of new microorganisms as well as antibiotic-producing bacteria. Antibiotic-producing bacteria come from a soil and plant basis so taking soil samples from the ground was the first step to trying to discover new bacteria. The soil samples were diluted and grown on agar plates for rapid and successful bacteria growth. Antibiotic producers showed unique

characteristics such as the halo affect which lead for close examination. Bacteria were narrowed

down and chosen by the student which lead to the next process of growing them in different

environments. Various test and assessments are hopeful for the possibility of identifying the

bacteria which could potentially be new. These studies give opportunity and hope to the medical

industry and can eventually enhance antibiotic-producing bacterial treatments.