Assessing Nanoparticles Affects on Bacterial Cells
Department
Biological Sciences
Major
Biological Science Secondary Education Emphasis
Research Advisor
Westenberg, David J.
Advisor's Department
Biological Sciences
Funding Source
Biology Department
Abstract
Ionic copper and silver (Cu2+ ~ 0.3 mg/L, and Ag+ ~ 0.02 mg/L) can be an effective, long-term approach for controlling bacterial infections in hospitals. Cu2+ and Ag+ treatments are low cost, easy to install and maintain, and the presence of the residual disinfectants throughout the system present potential for longterm lasting effects. CuO nanoparticles also exhibit good effectiveness in treating bacterial contamination. However, there are limited studies on the effect of Cu2+/Ag+ against bacteria and their mode of anti-bacterial activity. Together with the research group of Dr. Honglan Shi in the Missouri S&T Chemistry department, we have been using single particle (SP)-ICP-MS and single cell (SC)-ICP-MS to evaluate the effectiveness of silver and copper-based nanoparticles. To complement this research, we propose to construct biosensor strains of Escherichia coli that respond to various types of cell damage. This strategy has been employed to identify the mode of action of various antibiotics (reference Eltzov paper) and this work will be the first time such biosensors have been used to investigate the antibacterial properties of silver and copper nanoparticles.
Biography
Alex Daniels is a sophomore student in Biology education who has worked in the lab of Dr. Westenberg for the past year and a half. She came from a background of PLTW classes in high school, and has been developing further lab skills during her time at S&T. Alex enjoys working with bacteria and discovering their various roles and applications in medicine and is excited about this upcoming Fellows project.
Presentation Type
OURE Fellows Proposal Oral Applicant
Document Type
Presentation
Award
2021-2022 OURE Fellows scholarship recipient
Presentation Date
29 Apr 2017, 9:15 am - 9:30 am
Assessing Nanoparticles Affects on Bacterial Cells
Ionic copper and silver (Cu2+ ~ 0.3 mg/L, and Ag+ ~ 0.02 mg/L) can be an effective, long-term approach for controlling bacterial infections in hospitals. Cu2+ and Ag+ treatments are low cost, easy to install and maintain, and the presence of the residual disinfectants throughout the system present potential for longterm lasting effects. CuO nanoparticles also exhibit good effectiveness in treating bacterial contamination. However, there are limited studies on the effect of Cu2+/Ag+ against bacteria and their mode of anti-bacterial activity. Together with the research group of Dr. Honglan Shi in the Missouri S&T Chemistry department, we have been using single particle (SP)-ICP-MS and single cell (SC)-ICP-MS to evaluate the effectiveness of silver and copper-based nanoparticles. To complement this research, we propose to construct biosensor strains of Escherichia coli that respond to various types of cell damage. This strategy has been employed to identify the mode of action of various antibiotics (reference Eltzov paper) and this work will be the first time such biosensors have been used to investigate the antibacterial properties of silver and copper nanoparticles.
