Project:

Classroom Contaminants: Uncovering Antibiotic Resistant bacteria on electronic devices in NYC public schools

Students:

Geetika Das, Saniha Jasrah, Samantha Das

Institution:

Queensborough CC, Queens

Mentors:

Mangala Tawde

Abstract:

The speed of microbial transmission has fascinated the scientific community as bacteria rapidly spread through human populations via fomites such as door knobs. Other fomites include electronic devices such as phones, tablets, laptops, and computers. This spread can be observed by examining the devices we regularly use, such as communal devices (i.e. library computers or school tablets). Many New York City public school students encounter these devices at school, enabling bacterial infection to spread quickly through student populations which impacts students’ ability to learn and function. In this research project we aim to examine shared electronic devices in NYC public schools by sampling the bacteria on the device surfaces, and testing their antibiotic susceptibility. The devices’ surfaces will be swabbed to collect, isolate and identify bacteria via DNA barcoding. Antibiotic susceptibility will be tested using the Kirby-Bauer assay. The results of this investigation will help

Poster:

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