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Biofilms with a dash of color: A hands-on activity for school students to build a biofilm model, and use it to understand antibiotic tolerance in biofilms

Snehal Kadam, Kashish Methwani, Karishma S Kaushik
doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2022.06.27.497701
Snehal Kadam
1Hull-York Medical School, University of Hull, UK
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Kashish Methwani
2Department of Biotechnology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, INDIA
Roles: Masters’ student
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Karishma S Kaushik
2Department of Biotechnology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, INDIA
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  • For correspondence: karishmaskaushik@gmail.com
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Abstract

It is increasingly recognized that microbes, such as bacteria, exist in communities or biofilms, both in the environment and human body. However, school biology curriculum continues to focus on the free-floating form of bacterial life, with minimal descriptions of biofilms. Consequently, there is a need to introduce biofilms to school students, to not only to develop a fundamental understanding of microbial life, but to also highlight the challenges posed by biofilm infections to antibiotic treatment. We have developed a hands-on activity in which students build a biofilm model, and use it to understand the role of the extracellular matrix in the antibiotic tolerance of biofilms. The activity uses simple, easy to obtain supplies, and can be conducted in an in-person or virtual format, with students participating from school or home. We conducted the activity in virtual mode for a group of 59 school students across India, and present feedback and learnings that could be used to execute and adapt this accessible and engaging science experience.

Competing Interest Statement

The authors have declared no competing interest.

Footnotes

  • Sources of Support: Karishma S Kaushik’s academic appointment is supported by the Ramalingaswami Re-entry Fellowship (Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, BT/HRD/16/2006). This virtual science activity was first conducted as part of the Talk to a Scientist (India) science outreach platform (co-founded by KSK and SK), in partnership with India Science Festival (2022). The program Talk to a Scientist (India) is funded by the IndiaBioscience Outreach Grant (IOG) and the American Geophysical Union SciComm grant. We thank the young minds for their participation in the virtual delivery of this activity, and India Science Festival for the opportunity.

  • Conflict of Interest The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest to declare.

Copyright 
The copyright holder for this preprint is the author/funder, who has granted bioRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity. All rights reserved. No reuse allowed without permission.
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Posted June 29, 2022.
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Biofilms with a dash of color: A hands-on activity for school students to build a biofilm model, and use it to understand antibiotic tolerance in biofilms
Snehal Kadam, Kashish Methwani, Karishma S Kaushik
bioRxiv 2022.06.27.497701; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2022.06.27.497701
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Biofilms with a dash of color: A hands-on activity for school students to build a biofilm model, and use it to understand antibiotic tolerance in biofilms
Snehal Kadam, Kashish Methwani, Karishma S Kaushik
bioRxiv 2022.06.27.497701; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2022.06.27.497701

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