The Use of Bioactive Glass in the Treatment and Prevention of Sexually Transmitted Infections
Department
Biological Sciences
Major
Biological Sciences
Research Advisor
Semon, Julie A.
Advisor's Department
Biological Sciences
Funding Source
Miner Tank, Spring 2018
Abstract
Sexually transmitted infections, STIs, have been a plague on mankind for thousands of years. Every promising STI treatment is soon followed by an increase in cases, as the bacteria gains resistant to the new drugs. Bioactive glass has been previously shown to both kill bacteria and heal wounds, making it an ideal candidate for STI treatment. By applying bioactive glass to the outside of a silicon tampon-like device, intervaginal wounds caused by the STI will heal and the bacteria will die, thus treating the infection. Since it is thought to be impossible for bacteria to gain resistance to bioactive glass, this device can also be used in preventative care.
Biography
Samantha is a senior in Biological Sciences and is graduating this May with minors in Chemistry and Biomedical Engineering. Samantha is an OURE student in Dr. Julie Semon’s regenerative medicine lab, studying the effects of bioactive glass on mesenchymal stem cells. After graduation, Samantha is attending University of California, Davis to obtain her PhD in Biochemistry, Cellular, Molecular, and Developmental Biology. This project began with Lisa Gutgesell and Laura Murray in the fall of 2017 for the course of Biological Innovation and Design. After encouragement from professors, further development began in early 2018 and funding was secured to begin preliminary research.
Research Category
Sciences
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Document Type
Presentation
Award
Sciences oral presentation, Second place
Location
Carver Room
Presentation Date
17 Apr 2018, 2:30 pm - 3:00 pm
The Use of Bioactive Glass in the Treatment and Prevention of Sexually Transmitted Infections
Carver Room
Sexually transmitted infections, STIs, have been a plague on mankind for thousands of years. Every promising STI treatment is soon followed by an increase in cases, as the bacteria gains resistant to the new drugs. Bioactive glass has been previously shown to both kill bacteria and heal wounds, making it an ideal candidate for STI treatment. By applying bioactive glass to the outside of a silicon tampon-like device, intervaginal wounds caused by the STI will heal and the bacteria will die, thus treating the infection. Since it is thought to be impossible for bacteria to gain resistance to bioactive glass, this device can also be used in preventative care.
Comments
Joint project with Laura Murray