Take 2

I gave the bacteria extraction from soil another try to see if I had different results. It looked as if I contaminated some of my samples and didn't use the right amount of broth. The second time around was a bit easier and quicker because I am more aware of what to do and made sure that I was very careful (learned some interesting tips two weeks ago about the "do's" and the "don't's" when going through the process). I then worked on streaking the samples on four petri dishes and wait for the results to show.

11/22/11

Well to start the day i had to write down data from the yogurt experiment and then took some picture of my experiments. Then I started to work with Rick and started to staining my yogurt bacteria that grew in the TSA media plates. After that I learned about the different types of bacteria based on the shape shown in the microscope. My bacteria was bacillus gram negative.

11.22.11 Gilbert

So on tuesday I worked on writing up my experiments that I worked on the previous weeks. When we finished the write up josh told us to stain the bacteria that was in the our yoghurt experiment. The problem with that was that we didn't know how to stain them so he asked Rick if he could teach us how to stain the bacteris properly. After Rick taught us we each did one ourselves and the end result was pretty well. I could clearly see the gram positive Bacillus bacteria in my slide.

11.22.2011

Well this was a really short day but we did do a lot. To begin we started off rewriting the little experiments that we did in the past weeks. After that, we worked with Rick in staining our yogurt bacteria that grew in the TSA media plates. It was pretty interesting and the best part was I stained my hands more than I did the actual bacteria. After that we learned about the different types of bacteria based on the shape shown in the microscope. My bacteria was bacillus gram negative.

11/23/11

Wednesday, we didn't stay that long. We learned how to gram stain bacteria and look under the microscope identifying Spirilla, Bascillus, and Cocci. My bacteria had the most common Cocci within it's view. It was fun :)

Microbes Soil Isolation Project

Josh introduced me to a new project, which was to look for a way to isolate bacteria from soil. I researched several experiments, but then I was given a mini-lesson on how to conduct this experiment with the help of Josh and Matt. Several mistakes here and there, but I eventually learned how. 

Soil Project Continued (Microbes)

Samples of soil. One is directly from the garden, and another is from a path of soil. 

What I needed to keep in mind before using the "hood".

• Make sure to clean any contamination with Windex
• What goes in, it does not come out until it is closed and finished. 
• Make sure to wash hands!

First Experiment

• Obtain 2 different samples of soil (path and garden). *Make sure to label!
• Have a test tube racket with six test tubes + cap. 
• Have the "hood" clean with Windex and have paper towels ready in case of spills. 
• Wait for 5-15 minutes with UV-ray light to clean the "hood" from bacteria.  
• Turn "blower" on and light on and get ready.
• Have Super Broth and about 4 LB Nutrient Broth in the "hood". 
• Make sure to have all materials in the "hood" and do not take anything out!
• Add soil (2 will be garden soil, 2 will be path soil, and one with garden and another with path. *Use yellow loops (do not touch the loop!). 
• Once labeled (test tubes), add 4 (2 garden soil and 2 path) 5 ml of LB Nutrient Broth to 4 test tubes. 
• *Make sure to use a pipette and graduated cylinder to take out the Broth. If contaminated (Broth), use new broth and pipette.  
• Add 5 ml of Super Broth in each test tube remaining (2). 
• Note: when taking out media (opening cap), try not to open completely or else it may become contaminated.
• Take test racket to the incubator and wait for alarm or ask. (Maybe 1 hour). 

Experiment 2

• Repeat sanitary procedures. 
• With test tubes in the hood and 6 petri dishes, use loops to swab samples for each tube and apply to each petri dish. Swab the sample in the petri dish several times. 
• Label (turn over) with date, name, and media used.  

 Results 

 Example of 1 of the 6 with bacteria and other things growing.

Last Thursday we learned how to streak plates in the Bio Safety Cabinet (with the hood) so that there is a smaller chance of contamination. I streaked two plates with buttermilk, which I then labeled and let set at room temperature. Then I made a buttermilk 10mL/milk 200mL solution which I also set at room temperature. We watched videos on Fungi and many ways it can "save the world" with capabilities such as absorbing oil.
Today I arrived to find that the buttermilk/milk solution and plates were refrigerated. Richard demonstrated to Tomie, Alex, and myself how to stain bacteria (taken from our plates), how to tell if the bacteria is Gram Positive or Gram Negative, and to identify different types such as Cocci, Spirilla, and Bascillus.