Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

hi, I'm working on a cross circular project on Physarum polycephalum between Biology and Infection control. Im having trouble finding information on the infection properties of Physarum polycephalum and how they can infect humans.

pls help

Do you have a reference for P. polycephalum infecting humans? I was not aware that slime molds could do that in a normal healthy person. Maybe someone who was immunocompromised might become infected.

Also, can you define what you mean by a 'cross circular project'?

Sybee

cross circular project is just a way to link different class subjects, such as biology and chemistry. I can then together do a summative project that incorporates some aspects of both the courses.

P. polycephalum infecting humans, I'm not sure, but i need some link to infection control or how infection can occur. I plan to make the project on using P. polycephalum as a biological cleaner, to help clean areas of other microbes.

I think I am missing something. Are you doing a project on human infection with P. polycephalum or a project in which you use the slime mold to eat up harmful bacteria? Slime molds don't infect healthy humans as far as I know. Can you clarify what you are doing and why?

Sybee

I`m doing a project on using P. polycephalum as biological cleaner, to eat up harmful bacteria. Learning about its interactions with humans, such as infections, I can create a informational video about using P. polycephalum as a biological cleaner and preventing possible dangers to humans.

Sounds like an interesting idea. Are you actually planning to get some P. polycephalum and test it as a biological control agent or just make a video?

Do you still have a question?

Sybee

Yes I`ve I have bought P. polycephalum to do tests on as a biological cleaner, but i can't find any information on its interactions with humans. I still have to find a link to connect it to infection control/prevention.

Well, maybe you are the first person who has had the idea of using a slime mold to prevent human infection. If you do a thorough search in Google scholar and PubMed and don't find anything then that is what you will say in your report. I read the biological research news every day and I don't recall hearing anything about your idea.

There's nothing wrong with proposing something that no one else has thought of as long as you can show that the idea is possible. I know slime molds eat bacteria but I don't know how you would use one to remove human pathogens if that is your goal. How are you thinking about doing that? I think slime molds only grow under certain conditions so you can't just put them anywhere and expect them to perform.

Sybee