Investigating the effects of of temperature on Ability of Bacteriophage to Prevent Escherichia Coli Growth

[deleted-365719]

For my 12th grade lab report I'm investigating "What is the effect of varying temperatures on the ability of bacteriophage to prevent Escherichia Coli growth measured by concentration?"

I've decided to do 5 different temperatures, one at ideal phage temperature, 2 above and 2 below. But I don't know how to get these temperatures. Do I heat the phage E Coli solution on a hot plate?

[MadelineB]

Hello opb5499,

This is an excellent question and your idea to test 5 temperature levels should provide you with good data in order to graph the change in response as temperature changes.

At this point, you might want to look at the materials and procedures discussed in this Science Buddies project:
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... p029.shtml

That project has a lot of good suggestions which might help you, including the suggestion that you try to find a mentor or a science teacher who might help you get access to a lab with equipment such as a water bath and incubator. I think the mentor will also help you select the temperatures to use and the best way to achieve those temperatures during your experiments.

The project also includes links to science fair guidelines for working with biological materials.

Be sure to let us know if you have additional questions!