Tested Studies for Laboratory Teaching (ABLE Proceedings)

Title:

Bacterial Biofilm Quantification: Using a Crystal Violet Assay to Assess Student-Selected Remedies

Url:

http://www.ableweb.org/volumes/vol-37/v37reprint.php?ch=29

Author:

Michael J. Castaldi
Jill Callahan

Author's Address:

St Peter's University

Email Address:

jcallahan@saintpeters.edu

Description: Biofilms are communities of surface-associated bacteria existing in an extracellular matrix. Within such
protective communities, bacterial species are more resistant to antimicrobial agents than their planktonic
counterparts, often resulting in higher levels of virulence and chronic infection. Staphylococcus aureus is a
hearty biofilm former that has been linked to many infections. In this inquiry-based exercise, students
examine the anti-biofilm properties of natural oil-based soaps by performing a hands-on wet lab adaptation
of the crystal violet quantitative biofilm assay (O’Toole, 1998), using S. aureus. This method is an
important and low-budget tool in assessing natural remedies, a common interest of biology research
students. This is a highly adaptable protocol which can be tailored to a variety of species and test agents.

Keywords:

Inquiry-based learning
biofilm
natural antibiotics

Topic:

Microbiology

BEN Subject/Discipline Taxonomy:

Microbiology

Learning Resource Type:

Laboratory exercise (DCMI Type Vocabulary)

Context:

Undergraduate lower division 13-14
Undergraduate upper division 15-16

Format:

pdf