expand the current screening methods for antibiotics. Nowadays, potential new antibiotics are screened for by assessing the lethality of a compound for bacteria. However, compounds that cause stress to the bacteria, but do not kill them are overlooked. Our theory is that a cocktail of these stress inducing compounds can be deadly. By using such cocktails, we will expand the pool of potential antibiotics. Simultaneously this obstructs the development of antibiotic resistance, as becoming resistant to one specific antibiotic is easier than to a cocktail of stress-inducing compounds.

July was the first month working full time in the lab on our project: Fifty Shades of Stress. The first succesful transformations were performed and the the first results using the GFP-strains were obtained.
Our PCR experts Daphne and Mees succeeded in isolating the DNA from all the promoters we intend to use during our project. Daphne is also the current record holder within our team for using the most pipette tips. Together with Germaine, they finished the first transformations. Our own “Classy” Jazzy explored the dangerous world of Streptomyces together with Marijke. Despite a few really smelly infections, Jazzy finished the first overlay to test our bacteria. Lotte has become an expert in pouring agar plates in the first few weeks, while Maaike performed the first attempt to synthesize a megaplasmid, unfortunately without success. Our programming manager Chiel, has set his computer aside for two weeks to focus on the Interlab studies, a necessity to win a gold medal in the competition this year. Like the true team manager she is, Charlotte was able to set us up with some Bacillus plasmids from iGEM Groningen. While the plasmids were transported from Groningen to Leiden, Laurens was busy trying to let E.coli produce colours and Carli and Tim set the record for the longest measurement, using the FACS-machine for over four hours. Each activity was carefully supervised by our Science manager, Marjolein, who lies awake at night to think about all the problems we could not fix ourselves.
By: Germaine Aalderink & Carli Koster

August is a big month for fundraising, as we are launching our crowdfunding campaign on August 13th. You will be able to find it on www.steunleiden.nl, be sure to check it out! Also, stay tuned for a special newsletter all about our campaign and how you can contribute to the fight against antibiotic resistance.
By: Tim de Jong

On the 8th of July we organised “Drawing with bacteria” at Werfpop, a free music and art festival in Leiden. We were invited by Science meets Business to organise a workshop involving some crazy science. We decided to do some bacterial painting with coloured bacteria. Werfpop visitors used cotton sticks to scrape some bacteria from the petri dishes we brought and drew on a small plate. Although nothing was visible while painting, the drawings magically appeared after three days as the bacteria had grown. We were really impressed by all the amazing works of art people made! The workshop was a great success with both young and old participating. Besides the drawing we also explained our project to anyone who was interested. It was great to hear all the different opinions everyone had on genetic modification and antibiotic resistance. We had many great discussions with the Werfpop visitors and look forward to all the events to come!
By: Mees Fox

August Meme Month

Bacteria that make us ill are very clever. Through natural evolution, they constantly develop new strategies to arm themselves against our antibiotics. These resistant bacteria put all of mankind at risk. In order to ensure humanity’s future health, we must develop new strategies to deal with bacterial infections.

To combat these resistant bacteria we need new antibiotics, but scientists have been unable to discover new marketable ones. To tackle this problem, we came up with an innovative approach: bacteria that can show us what kind of stress they are experiencing by changing colour. Stressful substances are not deadly to bacteria by themselves, however, the right combination can result in a lethal cocktail. Our ‘stress bacteria’ will enable us to identify substances that can enhance the effect of existing medicines or create entirely new ones. This means we can outsmart the resistant bacteria.

With your support we want to tackle the global issue of antibiotic resistance, take home the grand prize in Boston and put Leiden University on the map as a world-class university. Our project is part of ongoing research within the university and will be continued when we achieve promising results, even if we do not win in Boston.
Our project requires funding to buy lab materials, chemicals, and a lot of DNA. You can decide to what extent you want to support us in the battle against antibiotic resistance. Pick the colour of stress you want to expose resistant bacteria to and together we will defeat them. In short, say yes to stress!

DONATE HERE:

Fifty Shades of Stress!

Crowdfunding agenda

Opening of the crowdfunding - 13 August
ELCID symposium - 17 August
Biology Alumni Evening - 31 August
Opening Academic Year - 4 September
Night of Discoveries - 15 September
Family day Science Faculty - 6 October
End of the crowdfunding - 6 October