Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Hi guys, we have been given a science project to work on in our summer vacations, so I thought I might take up the topic "Quorum Sensing", I'm in 10th grade, will that be alright for me? Also if someone can shed some light for how can I conduct the experiment and show to my teacher, it would be really helpful, thank you.

Hi Harry,

It’s a great idea to work on a science project over the summer! Quorum sensing is an excellent topic, although it is a vast subject and you will need to do some more background reading to narrow your idea down to one experiment, or set of experiments that you can do with the resources that you have available.

The Wikipedia article actually gives a good overview on this subject and includes several references. You should read as many references as you can and look for related articles. Make a note of the experimental techniques that are used, and decide what you can do. Do you have access to a microbiology laboratory? Is there a university close to you with someone doing research in this area? Since you will be working over the summer, it would be possible to do an insect project. Your goal will be to find a unique question that you can answer with a controlled experiment.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quorum_sensing

Let us know what you learn on this subject, and what type of experiment you are thinking about. Also, please clarify the due date. Is this project really due on July 2?


Donna Hardy

Thanks Donna, I'm studying the background throroughly right now, getting upto where it all happens in nature and how.
No, there's no microbiology lab anywhere near where I live, there are science shops though, so if I'll have to get instruments I'll have to order them from outside if they are not available at the shops.
I'm going to study more on the topic and then decide on an experiment about it and well the due date isn't exactly 2nd July it might be 15 days after that.

Hi Harry,

Since you will presumably be working at home or at your school, then read the information on the safety requirements of working with biological agents from the Science Buddies website. You will need to select one of organisms that is allowed and possible complete a risk assessment form.

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... ents.shtml

Carollina Biologicals offers a number of bacteria that are safe to work with:

http://www.carolina.com/

Let me know what type of experiment you are thinking about doing. One possibility is a project on biofilms.

Donna

Hi Harry,

Also, check out the information on the Science Buddies website for basic information on working with microorganisms. Do you have any experience with an experiment in growing microorganisms?

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... ques.shtml

Donna

Well, sad news I can't make the project, I just got some information on how the project is really done but I don't have the equipment available for it, so no quorum sensing this year, thanks for the help anyways.

Hi,

Yes, this is a challenging project, and I'm sorry you are not able to do your first choice project this year. You can definitely save the idea for the future because it is a really good idea.

For now, I recommend that you go to the Science Fair Project Ideas page on the Science Buddies website and look for a project that matches your interests and that you can do at home. There are hundreds of project ideas, and I'm sure you can find something. It sounds like you have a wide variety of interests, so what you want to look for is a question that you can answer with a controlled experiment. Ideally the experiment will yield measurable results. Since your project is due in July, I would avoid projects with a difficulty rating of 9-10.

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... deas.shtml

I'm sure you will be able to identify a suitable project. Let me know what you can find.

Donna Hardy

Yeah I will, thanks for the help again.