Exploding Cells: Probing the Antimicrobial Power of the Cytosol

Funded Mar 5, 2024

When we posted this project, my students and I were still in the planning stages. What we didn't know is that there was another student project that had reached a standstill. The students were investigating the role of pathogenic fungal species on tree health in Brooklyn. They collected 15 soil samples and attempted to extract fungal DNA. Once extracted, the DNA samples would be sent for PCR and species identification. The project was stalled because fungi have very sturdy cell walls. The students were unable to extract the DNA.

The day the sonicator arrived was one of celebration. Their teacher had used one before during his PhD work, and he jumped at the chance. It worked, and the students got excellent results. Their hypothesis was supported, and they identified species from three fungal genera (Schizophyllum, Ganoderma, and Trametes) which are known to cause white root rot decay. The students were able to compete in the 2024 Urban Barcode Project Poster Competition.

We still have two more projects that plan to use the sonicator. One will use it to extract the cell contents of garlic, and the other to produce whole-protein extracts of the nematode C. elegans. This is only the beginning!”

With gratitude,

Ms. Doire