Lecture Notes: Infectious Disease Project and Lab 02 Aseptic Transfers

Lecture Overview

• Date: April 15th
• Topics Covered: Infectious Disease Project, Lab 02 Aseptic Transfers
• Additional Reading: Textbook chapter on compound light microscopy (Chapter 3)

Infectious Disease Project

General Guidelines

• Research and become an expert on one infectious disease.
• Disease Selection: Each student must choose a different disease and get approval from the instructor.
  • Specific species must be selected (e.g., Streptococcus pneumoniae for pneumonia).
  • Popular diseases like HIV and malaria may be split into subtypes (e.g., HIV 1 and HIV 2).
• Email Protocol: Use Canvas email for faster communication.

Project Requirements

• Written Report:
  • Single-spaced, 12-point font with 1-inch margins.
  • Cover info on the first text page (not a separate cover page).
  • Main body: 4-6 pages (text only, excluding references and pictures).
  • Components include causative agent, history, epidemiology, pathology, response and treatment, socio-political and economic considerations.
• Citation Standards:
  • Use in-text citations for non-common knowledge.
  • Proper citation format (APA, MLA, etc.) must be consistent.
  • At least 4 reputable sources required.

Grading Rubric

• Total: 100 points
• Breakdown includes causative agent (9 points), history (10 points), writing quality (15 points), in-text citations (10 points), and more.
• AI Use: Must cite AI if used for content generation.

Lab 02: Aseptic Transfers

Objectives

• Understand aseptic techniques to avoid contamination in microbiology labs.
• Practice with serological pipettes, sterile discs, and bacterial culture transfers.

Procedures

Procedure 1: Transfer of Sterile Liquid

• Use a glass serological pipette to transfer sterile water to a tube of nutrient broth.
• Observe clarity of broth after incubation.

Procedure 2: Transfer of Sterile Paper Disc

• Use forceps cleaned with alcohol and flame to transfer sterile paper discs.
• Assess broth clarity post-transfer.

Procedure 3: Transfer of Serratia Marcescens to Broth

• Broth should turn pink if Serratia Marcescens is growing.
• Difference from Procedure 1 in terms of successful transfer.

Procedure 4: Transfer to Agar Slant

• Serratia Marcescens should grow red on a slant, allowing detection of minor contamination by color.

Notes on Contamination

• Aseptic techniques reduce contamination from airborne microbes.
• Maintain sterile conditions using proper cap handling and loop sterilization.

Lab Submission Guidelines

• Worksheet submission only; not the full lab module.
• Two grading attempts allowed for initial weeks, policy for subsequent weeks based on class decision.

Additional Notes

• Extra credit opportunities through student discussion forums and study group formations.
• Importance of active participation in labs for better understanding and grades.