Background
Your project will be associated with one of four companies:

Qualitas
Historically, most antibacterials were used in hospitals, where they were incorporated into soaps and surgical clothes to limit the spread of infections. More recently, however, those substances (including triclocarbon, triclosan and such quaternary ammonium compounds as benzalkonium chloride) have been mixed into soaps, lotions and dishwashing detergents meant for general consumers. They have also been impregnated into such items as toys, high chairs, mattress pads and cutting boards. There is no evidence that the addition of antibacterials to such household products wards off infection. What is clear, however, is that the proliferation of products containing them raises public health concerns. The potential overuse of antibacterials in the home is troubling on other grounds as well. Bacterial genes that confer resistance to antibacterials are sometimes carried on plasmids (circles of DNA) that also bear antibiotic-resistance genes. Hence, by promoting the growth of bacteria bearing such plasmids, antibacterials may actually foster double resistance—to antibiotics as well as antibacterials. (5)

Questions:
-Does triethylene glycol (Oust, Ozium) kill bacteria and fungi?
-Are there airborne bacteria and fungi to kill?
-Do bacteria develop resistance to triclosan?
-Does Microban kill bacteria when impregnated into clothes, toys, and kitchen utensils?

La’au
The use of higher plants in the treatment of disease is as old as the art of healing itself. Isaiah of Biblical times suggested that a plaster of figs be placed on boils as a treatment of this form of infection. The Chinese have used plants and herbs for centuries in the treatment of many diseases. Thousands of phytochemicals have been isolated and several serve as plant defenses against microbial infection (3). Preliminary studies showed that plants have antibacterial properties but these studies were done over 60 years ago (2). The idea of using plants was abandoned with the discovery of antibiotics from soil bacteria. However, the recent rise in antibiotic resistant bacteria makes it imperative that new antibiotics are found. Additionally, the rise in foodborne infections has prompted renewed interest in the use of alternative natural microbial inhibitors (4).Possible test plants:

Questions:
-Effects on growth of sublethal concentration(s) of an extract.
-Determine the Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and/or minimal lethal concentration (MLC) of an extract.
-The presence of lysozyme against gram-positive cells. Gram-negative cells.
-Presence of antimicrobial peptides.
-What is your control?

PharMar
There is a high rate of rediscovery of antibiotic compounds in terrestrial sources, which means the rate of novel compound discovery has been going down. The sea’s potential as a resource is largely untapped. So far, there are only four marine-based drugs on the market and about 40 in clinical/preclinical development. A major therapeutic area for marine natural products is infection. Novel antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been isolated from the blood of the spider crab Hyas araneus and the green sea urchin Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis (1). The widespread resistance of bacterial pathogens to conventional antibiotics has prompted renewed interest in the use of alternative natural microbial inhibitors such as AMPs. AMPs, termed bacteriocins, are ribosomally synthesised polypeptides, which have bactericidal or bacteriostatic effect. A variety of antimicrobial peptides have been discovered in recent years including defensins, found in human skin, magainin, found in frog skin, and squalamine, from the spiny dogfish shark.

Questions:
-Effects on growth of sublethal concentration(s) of an extract of red or brown algae.
-Determine the Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and/or minimal lethal concentration (MLC) of an extract.

Gaia
The Gaia hypothesis proposes that living and nonliving parts of the earth are viewed as a complex interacting system. Named after the Greek earth goddess, this hypothesis proposes that all living things have a regulatory effect on the Earth's environment that promotes life overall.

Questions:
-What was the effect of the Cosco Busan oil spill on oil-degrading bacteria on S.F. Bay beaches? (See lab exercise 22)
-Lichens are an important part of the ecosystem. How do the lichen populations differ between stands of coyote brush and Eucalyptus?
-Evaluate indoor air quality in Pacific Heights, after painting.
-Determine whether companion animals are a source of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.