Session C: 1:45PM – 3:15PM
Science. Session C – Poster Presentations, Ballroom, Union
SESSION C (1:45-3:15PM)
Location: Ballroom, A. Ray Olpin Student Union
The Evolution of Tolerance to Disinfectants of Staphylococcus Lugdunensis
Zackary Hoskins, Utah Valley University
Faculty Mentor: Lauren Brooks, Utah Valley University
SESSION C (1:45-3:15PM)
POSTER C1
Most disinfectants advertise that they work effectively against 99% of bacteria. While many might think this claim refers to the fact that the disinfectant kills 99% of bacteria, this instead means the disinfectant reduces 99% of colonies in a handful of species. Given the diversity of bacteria, it is essential to know how other, lesser studied species react to disinfectant both with the initial exposure to disinfectants and whether they can evolve tolerance to it. In this project, I investigated how Staphylococcus lugdunensis responds to ethanol at various concentrations and whether it is capable of evolving tolerance. The Staphylococcus lugdunensis was tested exposing a standard concentration (0.1 Optical Density) to ethanol diluted from 100% to 10% in 10% increments. Once the range of survival was determined, survivors from the highest concentration were liquid cultured to ensure exponential growth and exposed again to the diluted ethanol in 2.5% increments. The results of this model system suggest that the bacteria can evolve tolerance to ethanol. While this bacterium is rarely considered a pathogen, and is instead more often considered a commensal component of the skin microbiota, making it important to determine how it responds to alcohol-based hand sanitizers. Additionally, the properties of this bacteria might also be applicable to other forms of Staphylococcus, such as the more pathogenic S. aureus, making the results of this research of interest to determine the effectiveness of alcohol-based hand sanitizers on this pathogen.
Relatedness of Lactobacillus Abundance to the Significance of Latitude’s Effect on the Microbiome of Drosophila Melanogaster
Connor Hough, Brigham Young University
Faculty Mentor: Johnathan Chaston, Brigham Young University
SESSION C (1:45-3:15PM)
POSTER C2
The effect of Lactobacillus (LAB) abundance on the microbiome and lifestyle of Drosophila Melanogaster has been studied multiple times over the years with varying conclusions. The works of Henry et al and Walters et al differ in their results despite having similar research done along the same cline in the East Coast. I will analyze the differences between the raw data of these studies in order to come to a more definitive conclusion about the relationship between latitude and LAB abundance. Henry et al also includes information and raw data about the microbiomes of flies, frass (fly feces), and the flies diet. I will be analyzing the raw data from Henry et al as well, to determine the relationship between these three elements. Together, these analyses will help me to learn why these similar studies came to su