A low-cost, hands-on module to characterize antimicrobial compounds using an interdisciplinary, biophysical approach

Area of Science:

• Interdisciplinary Science Education
• Biophysics
• Microbiology

Background:

• Antibiotic resistance is a growing global health concern.
• Existing educational modules often lack integration between biological and physical sciences.
• There is a need for accessible, hands-on training in antimicrobial research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate an integrated experimental module for characterizing antimicrobial compounds.
• To provide students with interdisciplinary research experience in antibiotic resistance.
• To create a cost-effective and reproducible educational tool for diverse settings.

Main Methods:

• Participants conduct a disc diffusion assay to assess antimicrobial activity.
• A physics-based diffusion model is applied to analyze antimicrobial compound behavior.
• The module integrates biological experimentation with quantitative physical modeling.

Main Results:

• The experimental module proved to be robust and reproducible.
• The approach provided valuable insights into antimicrobial compound behavior.
• The module demonstrated cost-effectiveness for implementation.

Conclusions:

• This integrated module offers a unique approach to studying antibiotic resistance.
• The hands-on, interdisciplinary nature enhances scientific understanding and research skills.
• The low-cost design makes it ideal for resource-limited educational environments and outreach programs.