Screening Novel Organic Compound Derivatives to Assess Inhibitory Concentrations Against Microbes
Faculty Mentor
Jennifer Brofft Bailey
Location
Savannah Ballroom
Type of Research
Proposed
Session Format
Poster Presentation
College
College of Science & Mathematics
Department
Biology
Abstract
Antimicrobial compounds are a common means of treating infections caused by viruses, bacteria, protozoa and fungi. Some microbes have developed resistance to commercially available antimicrobials, rendering these medications ineffective against treating disease. 1,4-naphthoquinone is a known antimicrobial compound with multiple modes of action that serves as a scaffold to develop new drugs to suppress resistant pathogenic microbes such as MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus). In this study, we will test novel quinone derivatives to determine their relative antimicrobial efficacy. A minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assay will be performed. Cell cultures of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus saprophyticus, a Gram negative and Gram positive bacteria, respectively, will be grown in Tryptic soy broth overnight at 37℃. Quinone derivatives will be tested in 96-well plates at 2-fold dilutions against cells in Mueller Hinton Broth. All 96-well plates will be incubated at 37℃ for ~ 24 hours. Using a spectrophotometer, microbial cell growth will be measured as light absorbance, or optical density, at a wavelength of 600 nm. For each tested derivative, the MIC will be determined based on the lowest quinone concentration that inhibited growth. MICs will be recorded for each quinone derivative and compared to the 1,4-naphthoquinone parent compound. These findings will potentially add to the availability of effective antimicrobials to treat pathogenic microbes, especially those with a history of resistance.
Program Description
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Start Date
4-21-2026 10:00 AM
End Date
4-21-2026 12:00 PM
Recommended Citation
Jarand, Devin C.; Osborne, Aaron; Ashimi, Abdullahi; Clarke, Alysa; Peterson, Christian; Aiken, Karelle; Brofft Bailey, Jennifer; and Gremillion, Sara, "Screening Novel Organic Compound Derivatives to Assess Inhibitory Concentrations Against Microbes" (2026). GS4 Student Scholars Symposium. 17.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/research_symposium/2026A/2026A/17
Screening Novel Organic Compound Derivatives to Assess Inhibitory Concentrations Against Microbes
Savannah Ballroom
Antimicrobial compounds are a common means of treating infections caused by viruses, bacteria, protozoa and fungi. Some microbes have developed resistance to commercially available antimicrobials, rendering these medications ineffective against treating disease. 1,4-naphthoquinone is a known antimicrobial compound with multiple modes of action that serves as a scaffold to develop new drugs to suppress resistant pathogenic microbes such as MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus). In this study, we will test novel quinone derivatives to determine their relative antimicrobial efficacy. A minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assay will be performed. Cell cultures of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus saprophyticus, a Gram negative and Gram positive bacteria, respectively, will be grown in Tryptic soy broth overnight at 37℃. Quinone derivatives will be tested in 96-well plates at 2-fold dilutions against cells in Mueller Hinton Broth. All 96-well plates will be incubated at 37℃ for ~ 24 hours. Using a spectrophotometer, microbial cell growth will be measured as light absorbance, or optical density, at a wavelength of 600 nm. For each tested derivative, the MIC will be determined based on the lowest quinone concentration that inhibited growth. MICs will be recorded for each quinone derivative and compared to the 1,4-naphthoquinone parent compound. These findings will potentially add to the availability of effective antimicrobials to treat pathogenic microbes, especially those with a history of resistance.
