Isabelle S's Senior Project Blog

Project Title: “CAGE”-ing the methicillin-susceptible Staph (MSSA) Biofilms Away BASIS Advisor: Tom Talasek Internship Location: Northern Arizona University Onsite Mentor: Andy Koppisch

Project Abstract

Recently, more and more pathogens have been becoming antibiotic-resistant such as Candida albicans (C. albicans), Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) species, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)/methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA). Thus, it is necessary to turn to alternative solutions to cure certain diseases or inhibit the further growth of these harmful pathogens. One solution that the lab, a biochemistry lab located at NAU, where I am interning, investigates is the usage of ionic liquids/deep eutectic solvents (IL/DES). Ionic liquids are molten salts known to treat specific antibiotic-resistant pathogen biofilms. My lab aims to use various DES with varying arginine concentrations that consist of choline, gerinate, cinnamic acid, and arginine (CAGE+Arg). Biofilms are a collection of microbial cells enclosed in an extracellular polymeric substance matrix. They are known to survive under many environmental stressors and initiate/progress the growth of dental decay. The overall goal of our project is to develop DES formulations that are effective against microbial biofilms of oral pathogens that contribute to the decline of oral health. To achieve this goal, we plan to incorporate different concentrations of arginine (a molecule reported to affect positive oral health outcomes) into the new DES (which are materials known to be very effective at reducing the viability of microbial biofilms) and investigate which concentration is most effective in eliminating the pathogen.