Booth Id:
BCHM023
Category:
Biochemistry
Year:
2025
Finalist Names:
Banipal, Jasmaan (School: The Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science)
Abstract:
Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilms resist antibiotics like ciprofloxacin. This project evaluates D-amino acids as adjuvants to increase ciprofloxacin efficacy. Combining ciprofloxacin with D-methionine reduced biofilm metabolic activity by >90% and biomass by >85% versus controls (ANOVA, p < 0.001), outperforming ciprofloxacin alone (70% biomass reduction). Other D-amino acids (D-valine, D-tryptophan) alone showed no statistically significant effect but improved ciprofloxacin efficacy moderately. Assay reliability was confirmed with negative controls. D-methionine likely disrupts biofilm structure, enabling ciprofloxacin penetration. This combined action could offer a strategy to lower antibiotic doses, minimizing resistance risks. Future work will explore mechanisms, in vivo validation, and applications to pathogens like S. aureus and P. aeruginosa.
Awards Won: