1. St Petersburg College
CETL Mini-Grant
Biological Science
Student Research
Dr. Raymond E. Menard

2. Goals of This Project
Investigate the antimicrobial properties of various herbs and vegetables
Isolate and Analyze DNA Using Southern Blot Technique
Isolate and Analyze proteins using Western Blot Techniques

3. This project is designed to give students hands on experience in performing cutting edge science experiments

4. By gaining more hands on experience in various aspects of scientific research our students will be much more competitive in obtaining employment when they graduate

5. APPROACH
Students and Instructor will first meet to discuss theory
and general experimental design
Prior to performing experiments students will receive
protocols to review
Appropriate literature searches will be done and current
articles discussed

6. Critical Thinking! APPROACH
What experiments to perform to answer hypotheses
If experiment works, what’s next
If experiment doesn’t work, what can be changed?
What’s the overall significance of the experiment?

7. Other Positive outcomes!!
Organizational Skills
Good record keeping
Students will keep a lab notebook
Time management
Team work!!

8. students will perform:
Some examples of experiments the
students will perform:
Disk Diffusion
DNA Transformation
DNA extraction
DNA digestion
DNA analysis (Southern Blot)
PCR analysis
ProteinAnalysis (Western Blot)

9. Antimicrobial Properties of Herbs and Vegetables
Current status
Antimicrobial Properties of Herbs and Vegetables
Disk diffusion test implemented
First test known “antimicrobials” to
optimize system

10. Disk Diffusion Works with known antimicrobials
S. aureus E. coli
Bleach
Ampicillin
Crest Oral Rinse

11. More Antimicrobials
Vinegar
Lysol
PreWhite
Rinse

12. Herbs and Spices Selected for testing
Oregano
Cinnamon Sugar
Ground Ginger
Basil
Thyme
Rubbed Sage
Chili Powder
Panang Curry Paste
Minced Garlic
Garlic Powder
Fresh Whole Garlic
Roasted Garlic
Red Pepper Flakes
Whole Cloves
Cinnamon Stick

13. Results
Panang Curry Paste and
Whole Cloves Had Antimicrobial Activity!!
Panang Curry

14. Results
Whole
Cloves

15. DNA ISOLATION from Cheek Cells
DNA WAS SUCCESSFULLY ISOLATED FROM CHEEK CELLS

16. DNA Extraction

17. Protein Analysis
Students Have Successfully Isolated Protein from cheek
cells and separated it by Gel Electrophoresis
Samples collected on swabs

18. Results of Protein Extraction and Gel Electrophoresis
Gel Set Up
Proteins

19. Future Directions
Disk Diffusion:
Optimize Concentration of Extracts
Different Bacteria
Different Herbs
2) Protein Analysis
Westerns Blots
3) DNA Analysis
Southern Blots

20. Interdisciplinary Considerations
Library
Great Journal and Book Resources
Reference Managers
Formatting Links (APA and MLA)
Other Science Disciplines
Chemistry (Stephen Andrasik
Physics (Ann Marie Eligon)
Ethics
Statistics

21. SPECIAL THANKS!! CETL STUDENTS: Adam Davis Jesse Campos
Rachel Mattocks
Nikki Norring
Austin Timmons
Sean Kierney
AND TO ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR KIND ATTENTION