science fair project revolving around gut bacteria and chemotherapy

[raghavt-310]

Hello! I am a high school student who is working on a science fair project. I am trying to answer a question about how chemotherapy drugs affect gut bacteria. I am restricted to a BSL-1 zone, so I can only use my school's labs. I am going to be using E coli k12 and Bacillus subtilis bacteria strains. I was originally going to be ordering cisplatin for the chemo drug, but I realized that it was a BSL-2 zone drug and I cannot use it at my school due to its hazard. Now, I need to model a chemotherapy drug that is BSL-1 friendly. Could I get any help on how I can closely model chemo drugs or what chemicals that I can use that are very similar to a chemotherapy drug?
Thank you so much!

[aredlife1]

Hi, any chemotherapeutic agent is unlikely to be classified under BSL-1 category due to their cytotoxic nature. Consider the option of emailing local labs/professors with your research plan outline and see if they can offer mentoring and lab space.
Good luck.

[MadelineB]

Hello,
To add to the excellent suggestion that you find a mentor by the previous expert, here's a link with suggestions for how to find a mentor:

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... tem-mentor

Best of luck,
Madeline

[helengrace01]

Hello! I am a high school student who is working on a science fair project. I am trying to answer a question about how chemotherapy drugs affect gut bacteria. I am restricted to a BSL-1 zone, so I can only use my school's labs. I am going to be using E coli k12 and Bacillus subtilis bacteria strains. I was originally going to be ordering cisplatin for the chemo drug, but I realized that it was a BSL-2 zone drug and I cannot use it at my school due to its hazard. Now, I need to model a chemotherapy drug that is BSL-1 friendly. Could I get any help on how I can closely model chemo drugs or what chemicals that I can use that are very similar to a chemotherapy drug?
Thank you so much!

I’d suggest clearly explaining in your project that you’re modeling the mechanism of chemo drugs, not the drugs directly - judges usually appreciate that kind of scientific reasoning.