Modulating Micrococcus luteus Biofilm Repopulation via Aloe vera-Infused Silica Aerogels and Red Light Exposure

School Name

Spring Valley High School

Grade Level

11th Grade

Presentation Topic

Physiology and Health

Presentation Type

Non-Mentored

Abstract

Chronic wounds present a significant healthcare burden, increasing infection risk, mortality, and healthcare costs (Parnell & Volk, 2019; Sen, 2025). Micrococcus luteus is a non-pathogenic bacterium that can inhibit pathogenic bacterial colonization of the skin's epithelial layer through microbial competition and promote healthy skin function, underscoring its appropriate use in various healing environments (Heo et al., 2023; McLoughlin et al., 2024). The purpose of this study was to determine whether the combination of Aloe-vera-infused silica aerogels and 660nm red light therapy would enhance M. luteus repopulation in a modified scratch-based biofilm regrowth assay. M. luteus cultures were diluted in Tryptic Soy Broth and aspirated into 96-well plates for uniform biofilm formation. A scratch was made into the biofilm using a sterile micropipette tip, and wells were put into four groups: control, Aloe-vera infused aerogel only, red light therapy only, and combined red light + aerogel. Plates were incubated at 25°C, and images were taken at 0 and 24 hours for ImageJ analysis to determine the percent change in scratch width during biofilm repopulation. A one-way ANOVA showed a statistically significant difference in mean percent change in scratch across groups, F(3, 116) = 61.34, p < 0.001. The combined treatment of aerogel and red light exhibited the highest percent change in scratch, followed by red light therapy alone, aerogel alone, and the control. These findings suggest that porous aerogel scaffolds combined with photobiomodulation of a skin commensal may support the development of microbiome-based, non-invasive wound care modalities.

Location

Furman Hall 207

Start Date

3-28-2026 9:30 AM

Presentation Format

Oral and Written

Group Project

No

COinS
 
Mar 28th, 9:30 AM

Modulating Micrococcus luteus Biofilm Repopulation via Aloe vera-Infused Silica Aerogels and Red Light Exposure

Furman Hall 207

Chronic wounds present a significant healthcare burden, increasing infection risk, mortality, and healthcare costs (Parnell & Volk, 2019; Sen, 2025). Micrococcus luteus is a non-pathogenic bacterium that can inhibit pathogenic bacterial colonization of the skin's epithelial layer through microbial competition and promote healthy skin function, underscoring its appropriate use in various healing environments (Heo et al., 2023; McLoughlin et al., 2024). The purpose of this study was to determine whether the combination of Aloe-vera-infused silica aerogels and 660nm red light therapy would enhance M. luteus repopulation in a modified scratch-based biofilm regrowth assay. M. luteus cultures were diluted in Tryptic Soy Broth and aspirated into 96-well plates for uniform biofilm formation. A scratch was made into the biofilm using a sterile micropipette tip, and wells were put into four groups: control, Aloe-vera infused aerogel only, red light therapy only, and combined red light + aerogel. Plates were incubated at 25°C, and images were taken at 0 and 24 hours for ImageJ analysis to determine the percent change in scratch width during biofilm repopulation. A one-way ANOVA showed a statistically significant difference in mean percent change in scratch across groups, F(3, 116) = 61.34, p < 0.001. The combined treatment of aerogel and red light exhibited the highest percent change in scratch, followed by red light therapy alone, aerogel alone, and the control. These findings suggest that porous aerogel scaffolds combined with photobiomodulation of a skin commensal may support the development of microbiome-based, non-invasive wound care modalities.