Antifungal Activity of Conjugated Metal Organic Frameworks: A Multidisciplinary Undergraduate Laboratory Experiment

Mechanochemical synthesis, purification, and basic characterization of a Cu-(II)-based MOF are described as an experiment for upper-level undergraduate students. The chemistry/materials component of the laboratory course is combined with a microbiology module into a two-session multidisciplinary student activity. Students are divided into groups as they investigate the antimicrobial activity of the prepared MOF by three different assays, namely, O.D. measurements, Presto Blue, and Crystal Violet assays, usingCandida albicansas a safe and well-understood model organism. This approach to the microbiology module encourages student collaboration, data sharing, and critical thinking during the result interpretation. Through this exercise, students learn about the value of different approaches in tackling a specific scientific problem, i.e., the antifungal activity of a MOF. Using OD measurement as an example, they also learn to critically assess whether a well-established scientific protocol can be adapted to specific contexts.