In the Spring 2014 semester, 34 freshmen along with 7 upper-division mentors completed a series of skill development exercises that produced authentic data on a wide range of topics including the diversity of the student’s oral microbiome, the public health of the creek on UT campus, and the diagnostic potential of molecular techniques on saliva.

LAB-WIDE PROJECTS 2013–2014

Oral Microbiome Metagenomics

Students designed ethics board approved study linking bacterial diversity/abundance in saliva with health and behavior
- Generated 81 sequence libraries of oral microbiomes
- Authored online survey with 114 questions to characterize health/behavior
- Found tentative correlations between bacteria levels and sleep/gum chewing/hand washing

Molecular Diagnostic Development

Successfully implemented a diagnostic PCR for P. gingivalis
32 diagnoses made based on PCR results
Adapted P. gingivalis PCR protocol to novel qPCR diagnostic
107 assays run leading to 31 diagnoses

Public Health Water Quality Assessment

Sampled campus creek
- 28 water samples analyzed
- 3 different bacteria levels quantified
- 3 site locations analyzed
Surprisingly high bacteria levels found indicating possible sewage leak

Diagnostic Apps Development

Students developed “survey style” apps
Brainstormed ideas, developed apps independently
- Diagnose a wide range of conditions
- tinyurl.com/diyappgallery

FOCUSED DIAGNOSTIC PROJECTS SUMMER 2014

Dehydration saliva diagnostic

Ear wax (cholesterol) diagnostic

LAMP PCR development: next-gen tool for diagnostic development

Frack water diagnostics: Working with industry partner to develop molecular diagnostics to quantify sulfate reducing bacterial contamination in water produced by hydraulic fracturing

Texas Memorial Museum collaboration: Two summer students received a Joseph Jones Life on Waller Creek fellowship to continue work on creek bacteria

Diagnostic industry collaboration: Negotiated summer internship with local startup diagnostic company to optimize a patent-pending diagnostic device

Summer App Development: Students unable to stay in the lab working remotely on diagnostic app projects

Travel disease risk warnings • Michelle & Katrina • Dallas, TX & Chiang Mai, Thailand

Food recall tracking • Lindsey • Houston, TX & San Francisco, CA

Concussion diagnosis • Jordan • Austin, TX

Patient-Health Care Assistance • Salvador • Edinburg, TX

Pill identification • Nicole • McKinney, TX

Self exam guides and reminders • Lisa & Alyssa • San Antonio & Laredo, TX

Skin cancer • Rachel • San Diego, CA

Special diet and food allergy • Aurora • Center Point, TX