Main Research Questions
- When applied topically, does aloe vera gel (a) exhibit antibacterial properties and (b) increase the rate of skin cell regeneration?
- If so, can a consumer-friendly cut and scrape ointment be made from it?
Project Scope
Team AloeSporin is a small-budget, interdisciplinary, and diverse nine-person team supported by the Gemstone Honors Program. The team aims to develop and produce a natural cut-and-scrape ointment made from aloe vera with the objective of providing an innovative way to tackle bacterial infections. We hope to contribute our findings to the field of research concerned with antibacterial resistance and plant based medicine/
TIMELINE
JUNIOR YEARFALL 2022
Fundraise and collect survey data. Present preliminary research results at the Junior Colloquia. SPRING 2023 Run preliminary assays and start product development. |
SENIOR YEARFALL 2023
Finish developing the product. SPRING 2024 Defend the thesis at the Team Thesis Conference. |
Supporting Research
The Issue of Antibiotic Resistance
Antibiotics have the role of halting vital genetic and biochemical processes of microorganisms such as bacteria (Kohanski et al., 2010). Antibiotic resistance occurs when microorganisms evolve mechanisms over time that protect them from antibiotics. The resistance is an issue for human health since people are more likely to become infected by untreatable bacteria. Unfortunately, little attention has been paid to the issue by the public (Carter et al., 2016). Increased rates of resistance have resulted in an emergence of antibiotic-resistant diseases, and drug development efforts have not been able to catch up (World Health Organization, 2017).