Internships

Jordan Shivers ’16

Biofilms are antibiotic-resistant communities of bacteria that adhere to moist surfaces and are responsible for numerous medical device-related infections. Under flow conditions in non-uniform environments, certain bacteria form 3D streamers which span across gaps and can cause rapid clogging. During my internship with the Stone Research Group, I studied some of the mechanics behind the formation of these streamers in several strains of Staphylococcus aureus and the idea of modifying gene expression to control the adherence of these streamers to surfaces. While working on the project, I learned a tremendous amount about biofilms, microfluidics, and bacterial quorum sensing as well as the nuances of working with bacteria in the lab. The internship allowed me to experience the practical application of many ideas I had learned in my biology classes and gave me valuable insight into the challenges and rewards of conducting scientific research. These experiences definitely strengthened my interest in biology and chemistry. I plan to continue working on this project during the school year.