Unlocking the Potential: Teenager’s Guide to Growing E. coli on a Petri Dish and Infecting it with T2 or T4 Phages

Unlocking the potential of scientific exploration is an exciting endeavor for any teenager. One such exploration is growing E. coli on a Petri dish and infecting it with T2 or T4 phages. This experiment, while complex, can be accomplished with limited resources and a strong understanding of the process. This guide will walk you through the steps, precautions, and scientific principles involved in this fascinating microbiological experiment.

Understanding the Basics

Before diving into the experiment, it’s crucial to understand the basics. E. coli is a type of bacteria that lives in your intestines and is often used in science for research. T2 and T4 are types of bacteriophages, viruses that infect bacteria. When you infect E. coli with these phages, you can observe the interaction between the virus and the bacteria, which is a fundamental aspect of microbiology.

Materials Needed

• Petri dishes
• Agar
• E. coli culture
• T2 or T4 phages
• Sterile swabs
• Incubator or warm place

Procedure

Start by sterilizing your work area to prevent contamination. Pour agar into your Petri dishes and allow it to solidify. Once solid, use a sterile swab to spread the E. coli culture evenly across the agar. After the bacteria has had time to grow (usually 24 hours in a warm place), you can add the phages. Use a sterile swab to spread the phages over the E. coli. Then, return the dish to the warm place and observe the changes over several days.

Safety Precautions

While E. coli is generally harmless, some strains can be dangerous. Always handle bacterial cultures with care. Wear gloves and safety goggles, and wash your hands thoroughly after handling cultures. Never ingest or inhale cultures, and dispose of them properly when finished.

Interpreting Results

After a few days, you should see clear spots, known as plaques, where the phages have killed the bacteria. This is a visual representation of how viruses infect and kill cells. Counting the number of plaques can also give you an estimate of the number of phages in your original sample.

Conclusion

Conducting microbiological experiments like growing E. coli and infecting it with T2 or T4 phages can be an exciting way to explore the world of microbiology. With careful preparation and safety precautions, you can observe the fascinating interaction between bacteria and viruses right in your own home or school lab.