Investigating the Optimal Time to Harvest Actinomyces Species for Mouse Inoculations
School Name
South Carolina Governor's School for Science and Mathematics
Grade Level
12th Grade
Presentation Topic
Microbiology
Presentation Type
Mentored
Abstract
Within the last few years, more states have been legalizing the use of cannabis to treat certain diseases. Though the drug has been effective, it is still extremely addictive, and the overuse of the drug can affect the general makeup of our oral microbiomes. Oral microbiomes are the communities of bacteria that live within our mouths and when their structure is changed, they may affect our cognitive system. One specific species of bacteria, Actinomyces, had a significant increase in abundance in the mouth of chronic cannabis smokers. To test the effects of the bacteria, the bacteria was regularly inoculated into the oral captives of mice. However, the bacteria refused to colonize within the mice, and without colonization, no effects can be observed. Thus, our research aimed to troubleshoot potential reasons as to why the bacteria refused to colonize. A growth curve of Actinomyces meyeri and Actinomyces odontolyticus was conducted to discover the phase of the bacteria, which could be a potential reason for it not colonizing. The creation of the growth curve involved growing the bacteria for 48 hours, inserting the samples in an absorbance reader, and using GraphPad Prism to create the growth curve from the data collected. From the data, we were able to conclude that the phase of the bacteria was indeed a factor for it not colonizing. We were also able to determine an optimum harvesting time for the bacteria. These findings will assist in future research that involve the use of the Actinomyces species.
Recommended Citation
Chen, Annie, "Investigating the Optimal Time to Harvest Actinomyces Species for Mouse Inoculations" (2025). South Carolina Junior Academy of Science. 53.
https://scholarexchange.furman.edu/scjas/2025/all/53
Location
PENNY 201
Start Date
4-5-2025 11:45 AM
Presentation Format
Oral Only
Group Project
No
Investigating the Optimal Time to Harvest Actinomyces Species for Mouse Inoculations
PENNY 201
Within the last few years, more states have been legalizing the use of cannabis to treat certain diseases. Though the drug has been effective, it is still extremely addictive, and the overuse of the drug can affect the general makeup of our oral microbiomes. Oral microbiomes are the communities of bacteria that live within our mouths and when their structure is changed, they may affect our cognitive system. One specific species of bacteria, Actinomyces, had a significant increase in abundance in the mouth of chronic cannabis smokers. To test the effects of the bacteria, the bacteria was regularly inoculated into the oral captives of mice. However, the bacteria refused to colonize within the mice, and without colonization, no effects can be observed. Thus, our research aimed to troubleshoot potential reasons as to why the bacteria refused to colonize. A growth curve of Actinomyces meyeri and Actinomyces odontolyticus was conducted to discover the phase of the bacteria, which could be a potential reason for it not colonizing. The creation of the growth curve involved growing the bacteria for 48 hours, inserting the samples in an absorbance reader, and using GraphPad Prism to create the growth curve from the data collected. From the data, we were able to conclude that the phase of the bacteria was indeed a factor for it not colonizing. We were also able to determine an optimum harvesting time for the bacteria. These findings will assist in future research that involve the use of the Actinomyces species.
