                  |
Updated by Emily-01/12/01 In carrying out this experiment, we tried to choose not only antibiotics that were proven to be effective against the specific Staphylococcus strains of bacteria, but we also tried to select antibiotics that were not fully effective in order to compare their effectiveness against the proven antibiotics. In addition to this goal, we also chose two strains of the Staphylococcus bacteria- Aureus as well as Epidermidis in an effort to compare the effectiveness of different antibiotics on both strains. In this way, we hoped to see for ourselves the various levels of resistance for the two strains of bacteria concerning their exposure to different antibiotics. When beginning the experiment, we each had a formed opinion, or hypothesis, as to which of the antibiotics would be more effective against the individual strains. I had pesonal experience with the Staphylococcus Aureus bacteria, due to the fact that I had worked with this strain in a previous lab. In addition to this, Jenn and I had originally set out to do seperate projects with each one of us having one of the bacteria strains and fewer antibiotics. However, we decided to combine our efforts when we examined the possibilities for expansion of the project results. Originally, I felt that the Vancomycin antibiotic would be the most effective against the Aureus strain and most likely against the epidermidis strain as well. I felt in this manner due to the fact that this antibiotic was fairly new to the market and was produced in response to Staphylococcus's ability to become immune to the workings of older antibiotics, such as penicillin. I also felt that Cephlexin would be highly effective due to the fact that I discovered that it was often prescribed to Staph patients. Jenn felt that either Vancomycin or Tetracycline would be the most effective antibiotics on both strains due to the fact that the antibiotics appeared to be the strongest in our possession. She also did much research into drug databases and writings to determine her opinion. With these hypothesis in mind, we began the experiments in order to find out the "truth of the matter". Keep checking in to find out our ongoing results....  |