Our Mission
Team BROCS intends to address the rising concern of antibiotic resistance, particularly in the bacterium S. aureus, specifically using holistic and accessible materials found in cruciferous vegetables.
If successful in testing, our intent is for the compounds to be used as an alternative to antibiotics, as we are particularly concerned with their economic burden on patients with a lower socioeconomic status or those who are already facing medical costs from prior treatments.
Research Timeline
Fall 2024
- Complete a literature review
- Finalize a research proposal
Spring 2025
- Defend Thesis Proposal
- Complete lab training
- Begin preliminary wet lab testing
- Finalize Methodology
- Fundraise for materials
Fall 2025 - Spring 2026
- Continue wet lab testing
- Present initial results at Do Good Showcase
- Begin data analysis of initial results
- Alter methodology as needed
- Consider additional experiments and approaches
Fall 2026 - Spring 2027
- Write and defend final Thesis
- Complete lab testing
- Perform data analysis
- Draw final conclusions from data, identify possible further research avenues
- Apply for conferences and attempt to publish findings if significant
Brief Methodology
Preparation of Antimicrobial Compounds
- Blend cruciferous vegetable with PBS Buffer
- Add in Lactobacillus ruminis
- Centrifuge and filter mixture
- Incubate and measure antimicrobial activity in planktonic cells, then aliquot and store for future use
Test Extracts on S. aureus Biofilms
- Prepare the S. aureus biofilms and a control
- Pipette different concentrations of vegetable extract + THB medium into biofilm cultures
- Stain and compare growth of biofilms when exposed to different extract concentrations