Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Hello,

I am interested in conducting a science fair project similar to "Do Different Dilutions of Disinfectants Affect the Development of Bacterial Resistance?"https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... p013.shtml. I have contacted a BSL-1 lab to do my project at and showed them my research plan, but they tell me I cannot do the project. They cite a rule "6. Studies intended to genetically engineer bacteria with multiple antibiotic resistance are prohibited. Extreme caution should be exercised when selecting out antibiotic resistant organisms. Studies using such organisms require at least BSL-2 containment." as part of ISEF's rules. http://www.societyforscience.org/page.aspx?pid=319 However, I have found someone else enter this project into California State Science Fair before and several schools that conduct similar experiments in biology classes.

My plan was to grow the bacteria and measure the zone of inhibition, then isolate the bacteria most resistant to the treatment from the plate and transfer the bacteria to a sterile culture tube filled with sterile water and agitated the solution. Then reapply the treatment to this resistant bacteria in a new Petri dish.

This is pretty much the same procedure as Science Buddies has outlined. Is this a new rule? Is someone misunderstanding the rule? Do I need to conduct research in a BSL-2 lab?

Thanks.

Hi,

The rules have not changed. What organism were you planning to work with? The experiments that have been done in high school labs were probably done with lab strains of bacteria that are not pathogenic. Apparently, you need to have access to a BSL-2 lab to do this experiment. Since you do have access to a BSL-1 lab, however, I would encourage you to select one of the other projects from the Science Buddies website.

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... roBio&dl=9

Do any of these projects appeal to you? There are lots of great projects you could do in a BSL-1 lab.

Donna Hardy

Hello,

If you are interested in doing a project on bacterial evolution, keep in mind that there are plenty of stresses aside from antibiotics that you can use as selective pressures. For example, you could study the ability of bacteria to evolve resistance to heat, high salinity, a microbial predator, etc.

Best,

Will

Hi,

Will has given you an excellent suggestion. If you pick a lab strain of E. coli for your experiment, this would be completely compatible with the BSL-1 lab, and you could do your project.

Donna Hard