Summary of the Research Project:

This six-week undergraduate project investigates how antibiotic activity degrades in wastewater across environmentally relevant temperatures (20°C, 25°C, 35°C, and 40°C). By incubating clinically significant antibiotic classes - specifically β-lactams and glycopeptides - in wastewater, I will generate time-temperature profiles of their residual bioactivity.

Methodology

Samples will be collected at five time points and assessed via disc diffusion assays using Streptococcus agalactiae and Escherichia coli. These species align with the WHO Bacterial Priority Pathogens List, ensuring the data is relevant to global resistance trends. To correlate bioactivity with chemical stability, samples showing significant changes will undergo HPLC analysis to quantify remaining antibiotic concentrations.

Project Management

The experimental design is technically feasible for the allotted timeframe. I will maintain a detailed lab notebook, perform statistical analyses, and present interim findings to my supervisor. This study does not involve live animals and therefore does not require ethical clearance.