Possible Research Topics for Ex. 32: Design Your Own Research Project in Microbiology

Based on Honors Laboratory Projects in Microbiology

By Thomas M. Terry, University of Connecticut

The most straight forward types of experiments you can design are probably descriptive and/or

quantitative experiments. Listed below are some examples of research projects. You are by no

means limited to these or to this type of experiments only!

1. How many/what kind of bacteria are in ________ (a kitchen sponge? road sand? a gram of ground

beef? in different brands of pot pies etc.) This is one of the most straightforward, and yet surprisingly

interesting experimental question in microbiology.

2. Compare the number and types of bacteria in a variety of water samples. This can be extended by

looking for the presence of indicator organisms for fecal contamination: E. coli and/or Enterococcus

faecalis.

3. Compare the number and/or types of bacteria in eggs, meat, poultry, fish, or other foods. Assay

total count. It is also possible to screen for the presence of certain pathogens (e.g. Salmonella) or

fecal indicator organisms.

4. Compare the survival of a pathogenic indicator organism (such as E. coli, an enteric bacterium that

has similar survival abilities to pathogenic enterics such as Salmonella) on wood vs. plastic cutting

boards. The FDA requires plastic cutting boards in food preparation, arguing that they are easier to

clean. However, recent reports suggest that bacteria disappear from wood surfaces much faster.

5. Examine "microbiology in the home". Where are bacteria found in greatest abundance? How

contaminated is a sponge that is used several times a day to clean food?

6. Examine the variation of types and/or numbers of bacteria in different habitats. For example, try to

isolate Staph. aureus from fellow students. Investigate the distribution of S. aureus on different parts

of the same person.

7. Examine variation over time. For example, we know that transient bacterial numbers on hands go

down after hand washing. But how soon does it come back up, and to what extent? A careful study,

in which the same skin area is swabbed at different times and then assayed for total count, might be

very revealing.

8. Do spices and garlic have antimicrobial activity? How effective are "herbal" or "natural"

antibacterial substances?

9. How does the "All In One" contact lens solution compare to a traditional lens disinfectant?

Perhaps you would like to check the

10. Compare the numbers of bacteria in two sources. For example: Number of bacteria in plain

hamburger vs. hamburger mixed with garlic; concentration of microbes in fresh milk vs. milk after its

expiration date; in hot salsa vs. mild salsa, or home-made salsa vs. taco bar salsa. Etc., etc….