Spring 2024: Week 9 - March 25, 2024 - March 29, 2024

 Introduction 

This week we will be performing the biochemical tests that we planned last week. These tests will help us characterize Deinococcus metalli and see how similar or different it is from other species in the genus. 

Methods 

3/25/2024

Before starting any tests, we did a gram stain of D. metalli to make sure that there was no contamination. Once we were done, we began streaking all of our plates that we will be using for our experiments. In total, we streaked about 22 plates. Every plate was streaked using a four-way streak except for the two plates we would be using for the starch test. Those were not done in a specific pattern. We also inoculated 8 agar tubes for the SIM tests.

3/26/2024

While we wait for our bacteria to grow, we spent time working on our abstract for the poster. This was the first time that my groupmates and I ever wrote an abstract so we began by watching a video made by the Arizona Nevada Academy of Science and also researching D. metalli. There is only one paper that we could find so we made sure to read through it to get as much information as we could. 

3/27/2024

Our plates were fully grown so we were able to begin performing the biochemical tests. The Urease, Sulfur, and Motility tests were visual results that we could interpret just by the way they grew in their media.  

For the starch test, we added a few drops of iodine to the colonies on the plate. The results were almost instantaneous and we were able to interpret them as well as take pictures for the poster. 

The Catalase test was done by adding a few drops of  3% H₂O₂ (hydrogen peroxide) to the plates. The results for this test were also instantaneous. 

For the Oxidase test, we added 2-3 drops of Oxidase solution to a colony in on the plate and waiting for 30 seconds. 

The Indole test was done by adding 2 drops of  Kovac’s reagent to the tubes and waiting for 1 minute. The visual results were quick to interpret. 

3/28/24 - 3/29/24

We spent the last two days of the week working on the abstract and trying to get all of the vital information into concise and clear words. It took us a while because we struggled with using the correct terminology as well as finding a balance between saying too little and saying too much. 

Results 

3/25/2024

Picture of D. metalli gram stain 

3/27/24

D. metalli results to biochemical tests 

Test 

Result 

Oxidase 

+

Catalase 

+

Urease 

-

Starch

+

Sulfur 

-

Indole 

-

Motility 

-


Discussion 

The biochemical tests that were performed on D. metalli were interesting. They gave us insight as to the bacteria’s different characteristics. The tests themselves were fun because we were able to see the results right away and they were clear as to whether they were positive or negative results. With the tests done, we will now be able to focus on finishing our abstract.

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