Antibiotic Resistance: A Global Health Crisis (FULL)
Antibiotics have been used to treat bacterial infections for decades, but resistance to these antibiotics is rising at an alarming rate. In 2019, 1.8 million people across the globe died from antibiotic resistant bacterial infections, and some strains of bacteria are now completely antibiotic resistant. Discovery of new antibiotics is critical for solving this crisis. Join the Department of Microbiology in a two week course-based research experience where you will work on research projects to discover new antibiotics.
This intensive two-week laboratory course will immerse high school students in the fascinating world of microbiology through authentic scientific investigation. Students will adopt a previously isolated strain of bacteria and conduct a comprehensive series of experiments to identify it and characterize how it lives, with particular emphasis on its antibiotic-producing capabilities.
Over the two weeks, students will gain proficiency in fundamental molecular biology, microbiology, biochemistry, and biotechnology techniques. Some specific techniques that you will learn include microscopy, Gram staining, streak and spread plating, DNA isolation and purification, PCR, agarose gel electrophoresis, DNA sequencing, chemical extraction of an antibiotic, antibiotic resistance testing, sterile technique, data analysis and presentation. Daily lab sessions will allow students to conduct experiments, collect data, and analyze results under expert guidance.
Guest Speakers
We will have a series of short guest lectures from Microbiology department faculty and graduate students who will introduce you to other fields of study in Microbiology.
This course is offered at the UMass Amherst campus as a residential program. Local students may apply to attend as a commuter.
Students will be in lab for most of the day. Lab sessions will be accompanied by lectures to provide the theoretical knowledge behind practical skills. Some lectures will cover experiments that we are doing in class. Others will cover concepts, including what an antibiotic is, where resistance came from, etc.
Final Project: Students' work will be summarized at the end of the two weeks in a scientific research poster, which will be presented at a poster session on the last day of the course.
Pre-Requisites
There are no pre-requisites for this program.
Materials
Students should bring:
- A notebook, pens/pencils
- Personal laptop or tablet
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Perform basic microbiological techniques such as sterile technique, streak plating, spread plating, Gram staining, and making media
- Explain why bacteria make antibiotics, how they have been used to help people, and the rise and danger of antibiotic resistance
- Interpret the biochemical characteristics of bacteria using differential media results
- Successfully isolate and purify DNA from bacteria
- Describe and use PCR to amplify the 16S rRNA gene of your organism
- Identify the genus of your organism using 16S rRNA sequencing
- Extract antibiotics from bacterial cultures and test if they can inhibit human pathogens
- Understand what makes an organism pathogenic, how pathogens make us sick, how they are transmitted, and how we identify them during an infection
- Apply laboratory safety procedures appropriately
- Collect, analyze, and interpret experimental data and draw evidence-based conclusions from these results
- Create and present a scientific research poster summarizing results
Class time is Monday-Friday from 9am - 4pm.
|
Time |
Activity |
|
9:00-10:00am |
Guest Lecture |
|
10:00-11:00am |
Concepts: Chemical Extraction of Antibiotic |
|
11:00am-12:00pm |
Concepts: DNA Isolation |
|
12:00-1:00pm |
Lunch |
|
1:00-2:00pm |
Lab Activity: Examine streak plates |
|
2:00-3:00pm |
Lab Activity: Examine spread plates |
|
3:00-4:00pm |
Lab Activity: Evaluate Kirby-Bauer test results |
In the evenings and on weekends resident counselors will run a series of social activities. Students are encouraged to join in, relax and have fun with new friends! With social events on campus and in the surrounding Amherst area, and access to the UMass Recreation & Wellness Center, there's something for everyone to enjoy.
Learn more about student life at UMass Amherst Summer Pre-College
Meet the Faculty
Erika Hamilton, Senior Lecturer, Department of Microbiology
Department Chair
Dr. Erika Hamilton is the current Chair of the Microbiology Department. Her background is in immunology and infectious diseases, and she has over thirty years of teaching experience.
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Jeffrey J. Kane, Senior Lecturer, Department of Microbiology
Program Director Applied Molecular Biotechnology
Professor Kane developed an accelerated career-focused one-year master’s degree laboratory program using hands-on bench techniques. He is also known as the molecular biologist on the team that created the world’s first cloned-transgenic calves (George & Charlie) at Advanced Cell Technologies. Other research has focused on breast cancer, muscle cell apoptosis, yeast mating, and insect biocontrol.
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