Tiny Earth: How the microbes in our soil are solving the antibiotic resistance crisis

Course Description

In this mini course, you will conduct a student-driven international research project, called Tiny Earth, aimed at solving the antibiotic resistance crisis. The World Health Organization has declared antimicrobial resistance one of the top global public health threats facing our population. The misuse of antibiotics drives pathogenic bacteria to develop resistance to these drugs such that they no longer work and thus scientists are on the hunt for new antibiotics to treat drug-resistant infections. You will spend the week conducting authentic and original research in our new state-of-the art lab. You will learn and apply basic microbiology techniques such as aseptic transfer, culturing, microscopy, biochemical and antibiotic sensitivity testing, in order to isolate and identify potential antibiotic-producing bacteria from the soil. The week will finish with science poster presentations of your work and in the end, your research will contribute to global efforts to solve the resistance crisis.

Students must bring: a lock to keep your items safe in a locker, a notebook and pencil to use in the lab. Long pants and closed-toed shoes will be required and we will provide other safety gear including a lab coat, goggles and mask.