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science fair project revolving around gut bacteria and chemotherapy
Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2026 12:11 am
by 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!
Re: science fair project revolving around gut bacteria and chemotherapy
Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2026 6:18 pm
by 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.
Re: science fair project revolving around gut bacteria and chemotherapy
Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2026 9:32 pm
by 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
Re: science fair project revolving around gut bacteria and chemotherapy
Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2026 1:45 am
by helengrace01
raghavt-310 wrote: ↑Sat Jan 03, 2026 12:11 am
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.