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How to Write a Microbiology Research Proposal

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Microbiology is the study of small organisms such as pathogens and bacteria. You can not see these organisms with your naked eye, you must use a microscope. Obtaining a degree in microbiology will prepare you for careers in pharmaceuticals, chemistry and quality control. A microbiology research proposal is a paper in which you choose a topic of interest and need, research it and present to a panel of reviewers as evidence of your knowledge of microbiology. This proposal is needed in completion in order to receive your graduate level degree in microbiology.

Clarify your topic. Make sure you provide enough information and background on your subject so anyone can follow and understand your proposal. The review panels may not be professionals in microbiology. Do not include unnecessary information away from the topic.

Write your proposal as if it were your final version. This will allow you to get constructive criticism that will help your final paper be the best possible.

Talk about your proposal with other colleagues. This will allow you to gather enough information to come up with two preproposals. Preproposals are one to two pages in length. One of your preproposals will become your chosen proposal topic.

Make sure you have all of the necessary pages of your proposal. Begin with the abstract. The abstract summarizes the points of your proposal in a short overview. Discuss the problem and how you will address it.

Discuss specific aims. Questions that your paper will answer are written in this section. Write it in outline format. It sets the outline of the experimental design portion of your proposal. Set realistic goals you can attain in two to three years in this section.

Discuss the background and significance. This is a lengthy section made up of several pages. This section makes the following sections clear to the panel. Cite former information about your profession that has already been published, here. You should also get across to your review panel that your proposal is important.

Discuss previous results. This shows your panel you are working on your proposal by providing them with statistics and information you have gathered thus far.

Write the experimental design section. This section lets your panel know you understand your proposal and you will have readable results. Here you will defend your work in detail. Make your goals and priorities apparent here.

Create a timetable. In this brief section let the panel know when you anticipate your proposal will be finished.

Create a list of literature cited. This is a standard reference page in which you list your sources.

Make sure your microbiology research proposal meets standard National Institute of Health format guidelines.

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A Guide to Writing Research Papers for Introductory Microbiology

A research paper is a report of original research and is, without doubt, one of the most important documents written by scientists. Research papers communicate important findings and ideas to other scientists, especially those working in the same or similar fields. In turn, they are given the opportunity to evaluate, revise and extend the research you have communicated. One of the important components of this course is to train you on how to conduct research and communicate your findings in the form of a professionally produced research paper. You will be carrying two research projects during the semester. One will involve the isolation and characterization of a particular microbe or microbes, the other focuses on various aspects of antibiotic drug resistance. The research papers you will be required to write follow a format common to most journals dedicated to the biological sciences. The format given below conforms to that stipulated by many biological journals. The format is broadly based upon that required for full research papers in  The Journal of Bacteriology , published by the American Society of Microbiology.

Manuscripts should be written in concise and grammatically correct American-English, and must be submitted according to the format specified below. The manuscript should be typed, the lines double-spaced, and one inch margins reserved on either side of the page. All titles should be bold and centered. Each section should begin on a new page. Typically, the paper will consist of seven sections: The  Title page : a descriptive title of the article, the name of the author, and her/his departmental and university affiliation, and e-mail address for correspondence. The  Abstract : a short narrative that summarizes the major accomplishments of the work being described . An   Introduction : a statement placing the work to follow in historical perspective and explaining its intent and significance.  Materials and Methods  that describes how the research was conducted so that it can be repeated by other investigators. The  Results  section describes and analyzes the experimental data. The  Discussion  explains the interpretation of the results and their significance.  References  documents all the sources consulted in carrying out the research and writing the paper, and  Figures and Tables  which illustrate the major data as photographs, graphs and tables.

Writing research papers is a very difficult enterprise, so do not expect to become an expert straight away. Familiarize yourself with the style of research papers by carefully studying published material: you will be given ample opportunity to do this during the course. You do not have to aspire to the professional level of these papers. However, you must pay careful attention to the content and style of the papers. Bear in mind that the papers you consult reflect many weeks, or months of intensive research, and your research projects will only last a few weeks. Therefore, the audience for your papers will be your peers and instructors. You will, in fact, be given the opportunity to review and evaluate papers submitted by your peers during the semester. The guide below is based upon these premises while at the same time reflecting the requirements for professional journals. Excerpts (edited for anonymity) included here are from previous student papers and sample papers prepared by students in previous years will be posted on Blackboard.  

The title identifies the work accomplished and should be descriptive rather than vague and immediately inform the reader about the work you are about to describe. Also include on the title page your full name, your affiliation (in most cases, this will be the Department of Biological Sciences, the George Washington University), a contact address (which nowadays is an email address) and the date of submission on the manuscript. The title should be informative and specific and accurately indicate the major focus of your work. For example, a title:  “The Isolation of Bacteria from Raw and Cooked Food Samples”  is too general and unfocused. A more descriptive title is:  “A Quantitative Study of Fecal Coliforms Found in Cooked and Raw Samples of Minced Beef.”

Similarly, a paper that is titled:  “Isolation of Staphylococcus aureus From Swimming Pools”  is best replaced by a title that reflects the research more specifically:  “Isolation and Characterization of Chlorine-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus from the Recreational Indoor Swimming Pool in the Lerner Health Center of the George Washington University.”

The title may also reflect the major finding of the research:  “Halobacterium Species Isolated from Salt Water Marshes near the Patapsco River Estuary of the Chesapeake Bay.”

Bear in mind that with the large number of research papers published each month, indexing services rely heavily on the titles of papers, as do scientists scanning the literature for papers pertinent to their own fields of research.  

The Abstract is a summary of the major points of the paper, including the purpose of the research, the methods used, the results obtained, and the conclusions drawn from them. The Abstract typically consists of a single paragraph of about three hundred words. It should be borne in minds that, together with the Title, the Abstract will be read by many people who may not necessarily read the rest of the paper. Therefore, this section of the paper must stand on its own. It is also the most difficult part of the paper to write because you must summarize, in a short space, the entire scope of your project. The excerpt below reflects a typical first draft, followed by an acceptable revision.

Example 1: First Draft

“Cell phones may harbor all kinds of bacteria and the purpose of this study was to isolate  Staphylococcus aureus , a potentially pathogenic microbe. Several cell phones were employed in this study. The phones were swabbed and S, aureus isolated by growth on mannitol salts agar plates. A number of techniques were used to test the colonies. The resultant colonies were tested by gram-staining, for mannitol fermentation, and oxidase and catalase activity to confirm the isolation of S. aureus. Several isolates were then tested for antibiotic resistance using methicillin, ampicillin and penicillin. About 40% of the isolates tested positive for methicillin resistance and 20% were found to be resistant to ampicillin and penicillin. These results indicate that cell phones may be a source of potentially pathogenic, and antibiotic-resistance bacteria, and may well pose a significant public health threat.”

This example presents an interesting study but the Abstract is unfocused and vague. Why were cell phones chosen in particular for this study? How many cell phones were tested and how many were found to be contaminated with  S. aureus ? Why was mannitol salts agar used as the selective medium? The sentence, “A number of techniques were used to test the colonies” is superfluous and should have been removed. Although the analytical tests are indicated, the results are not. The author should have stated these precisely in order to convince the reader that  S. aureus  strains were, in fact, isolated. The studies on the antibiotic resistances of the isolates unnecessarily are presented in a vague manner. Again, the author should have briefly justified why these particular antibiotics were chosen and given the actual numbers of isolates that were tested and found to be resistant to different antibiotics as well as the percentages. Finally, the last sentence is too dramatic and not warranted based upon this present study. A more conservative conclusion is called for. All these points are reflected in the revision:

Example 2: Revised Abstract

“Over the past decade, advances in cellular technology have contributed to increases in cell phone usage. Cellular devices have become an integral form of communication and are used by over 23 million people worldwide. Phone conversations, text messaging, and emailing, are all behaviors associated with cell phone use, and require the skin to be in contact with these devices. We hypothesized that cell phones may harbor  Staphylococcus aureus. S. aureus  is a bacterium that inhabits human skin. Certain strains of  S. aureus  are capable of causing disease and some are antibiotic-resistant. In an effort to determine if  S. aureus  was associated with cell phones, sterile swab samples were collected from twelve different phones (flip and non-flip styles) and plated onto mannitol salts agar medium which is recommended for the isolation and identification of  S. aureus . Putative  S. aureus  colonies were obtained from all the phones tested. 192 out of 200 colonies tested positive for mannitol fermentation and were characterized further. All bacteria were gram positive, aggregated cocci and tested positive for oxidase and negative for catalase, confirming the isolation of  S.aureus  by Bergey’s criteria. Previous studies have shown that many S. aureus strains have developed resistance to the β-lactam class of antibiotics. Therefore, 40 randomly selected isolates were tested for resistance to three β-lactam antibiotics, methicillin, ampicillin and penicillin, widely used in medicine. Results from the Kirby Bauer procedure suggested that 16 (40%) of the isolates were methicillin-resistant and 8 (20%) were additionally resistant to both ampicillin and penicillin. The results of this investigation suggest that cell phones may pose public health concerns.

This version of the Abstract is much better. It begins by stating the problem and justifying the research. Results rather than procedures are emphasized. The hypothesis is clearly stated and the major data clearly presented, substantiating the isolation of antibiotic-resistant  S. aureus  and lending credence to the author’s hypothesis. Note, too, that the Abstract is written in the past tense, and abbreviations, literature citations and figures are not present.  

INTRODUCTION

The Introduction provides a framework for the paper including a background (which is often in the form of a literature review) of the topic, and the purpose of the work. This section should be neither too broad nor too narrow. There is no specific length requirement but generally this section can be written in two main paragraphs. The first paragraph should summarize prior research in the area that you have studied. Do not provide a detailed and extensive literature review but instead confine the background information to what is strictly relevant to the work you’ve undertaken. Be sure to indicate references in the text (this will be discussed later). This paragraph must be written in the past tense. In the next paragraph, describe the unique aspects of your work (written in the present or, as appropriate, the future tense); that is to say, provide a justification (and a hypothesis) for the work you’ve carried out. For example, how does your research contribute to the studies undertaken by previous authors? What new information is your research attempting to discover and clarify? You may also briefly preview some of the results in order to lend credence to the importance of your study. Since your paper will be evaluated by your peers and the instructors, the scope of the introduction should be aimed at this audience.

You must follow the conventions of the International Union of Microbiological Societies ( http://www.iums.org ) in naming bacterial species. The convention specifies that binomial names of species must be used and underlined or italicized in the text. When a microbe is first named, its full genus and species name must be written; thereafter, the genus name can be abbreviated. Thus, the species  Pseudomonas fluorescens  must be stated in full when first introduced, but afterwards shortened to  P. flourescens . Do not confuse proper nouns with common nouns.  P. fluorescens  is a particular species, but the term pseudomonads (which is not italicized) refers to many of these species. Similarly, staphylococci are a wide range of bacteria that exhibit a similar shape and aggregation, whereas  Staphylococcus  is a particular genus that exhibits these properties.  

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This section provides the information which will enable other researchers to reproduce the experiments you have carried out. It describes the procedures you used to conduct your research, the controls you incorporated and the means by which you evaluated your data. It is important to be precise. The materials and procedures you carried out lend credibility to your scientific arguments presented later. Similar experiments carried out by others may not always yield the same conclusions, reflecting, perhaps, different interpretations of the data. In addition, this section will provide critical information to others who may be working on similar research and may need to use experimental approaches and techniques similar to the one you employed. Throughout, use the past tense.

Make sure that you organize the description of experiments logically and methodically, in the order that they were performed. It is helpful to organize this section into subheadings, beginning with a description of the materials used in the project. This makes the text easier to write and makes it more understandable, and easier to follow, for the reader. You do not need to provide an extensive list of all the materials you used, such as Petri dishes, gram stain reagent kits, and other common purpose items. You simply state that all chemicals and apparatuses “were provided by the Department of Biological Sciences, the George Washington University”. However, you must relate carefully the sources of your specimens, how they were collected and under what conditions. In addition, if you used standard bacterial strains in your study, these must be described and their sources noted. When describing the methods you used, again be precise, but not over-descriptive. Common microbiological techniques, such as Gram staining, oxidase testing, etc., do not need to be described but simply referenced in the text (usually, you will cite the laboratory manuals). It is necessary, however, to emphasize the purpose for using particular procedures, but be careful not to describe any results until the next section.

Avoid common grammatical errors which often pop up in this section. Media (not mediums) is the plural of medium; datum (singular) should not be confused with data (plural). Never use phrases such as, “The  S. epidermidis -containing cultures were…” when you mean “The samples containing  S. epidermidis  were…” Surely, you would never write, “The coffee-containing cup was…”?  

This section presents the data you accumulated in the course of the study. Once more, the narrative must be in the past tense. Before writing this section, it is advisable that you first construct the tables and figures you will be presenting in the text (see later). Be sure to reference each table and figure in the text (as Table 1, Figure 2, etc.) In the text, it is best to summarize the data and point out important facts and trends; the details can be included in the tables and figures. In order to present the data effectively, this section must be well-organized, preferably in the sequence in which you described your methods. Since many projects will involve the isolation of novel microorganisms, you should carefully designate each isolate, preferably using letters and/or numbers, as follows: “Two isolates, chosen for further characterization, were designated GH104 and KJ106. The characteristics of both strains are summarized in Table 3. After describing the characteristics of a particular isolate, you can then propose a putative identification. Thus,  “Isolate HG411 was found to be a large Gram-positive motile bacillus, often occurring in short chains. It was non-fermentative and tested negative for nitrate reductase. It did not grow in anaerobic medium leading us to hypothesize that it was an obligate aerobe. This was substantiated by positive results for both oxidase and catalase activities. In addition, the presence of clearly defined endospores, shown by malachite green staining, led to the tentative identification of HG411 as  Bacillus cereus .”  Note that the author is careful to point out that this is only a tentative identification. It would take many more weeks of experimentation, probably using determinative tests unavailable to us, to confirm this deduction. Of course, these further tests can, and should, be described in the Discussion

When writing the Results (and Discussion), do so in a direct, straightforward manner. Use the past tense. The use of simple and effective prose is more likely to convey your ideas to the reader (the excerpt above is an excellent example of this kind of writing). Use short sentences. One of the most common errors in writing papers is a tendency to wordiness and the use of jargon. Most jargon is long-winded and confusing, employing words that are unfamiliar to a general reader and this can change what should be an interesting paper into one that is tedious and even boring to read. In fact, it often has the effect of alienating rather than engaging the reader. In addition, you are encouraged to avoid wordiness and the use of redundant phrases. Common modifiers such as “very, “rather” and “quite” are unnecessary and should not be used. Other common examples of wordiness, and how they might be corrected, are given below. Note that simple direct phrases and sentences have a clear and confident tone.

The results would seem to indicate…. The results indicated….

Due to the fact that…. Because….

It may be that…. Perhaps….

A further piece of evidence that pointed…. Further evidence was….

The following day, after 24 hours of incubation, Colonial growth was observed after 24 the plates were removed from the incubator hours of incubation. and observed.

The data indicated that strain AB14 was a Gram- Strain AB14 was a Gram-negative bacillus. bacillus.

Many writers are torn between whether they should write the paper in the active or passive voice. In the former, the subject performs the action; in the latter, the subject receives the action. Too much use of the active voice has the tendency to make the text monotonous because of too many first-person references. On the other hand, overuse of the passive voice can cause the tone of the paper to be dry, boring and even pompous. To ensure that the text is more lively and readable, it is best to try and strike a balance. Consider the following example:

“We used eosin-methylene blue agar plates for the preliminary isolation  of P. aeruginosa . The bacteria were Gram-negative bacilli, and motile. The results for oxidase and catalase activities were negative. Additional experiments showed that the bacteria did not ferment glucose, galactose, maltose or lactose (Table 2). Based on these results, we concluded that the organism had an oxidative metabolism.

Try translating this in to an entirely passive or active tone. You’ll notice that the creative mix of both voices makes this narrative not only lively and engaging but also states the results in a clear, confident and unambiguous manner.  

In this section, you will interpret the results in the context of the questions and hypothesis you explicated in the Introduction, as well as addressing broader issues that were raised by your research. Before you begin, consider the issues raised by your results. Were they the results you expected? Did they support your hypothesis or not? If they did, your Discussion will be brief: if they did not, then you must consider alternative explanations. How might you address any unexpected results in future research? What future directions might this research follow? Finally, what are the scientific and/or public health implications of your research? It is important that you draw your conclusions from the data you obtained and relate them to previously published work (which, of course, must be cited). Your results may be open to many interpretations, but only you can decide which one(s) are the most significant.

It is essential that the text convey confidence in your results and conclusions. Avoid ambiguity and uncertainty. For example, consider the extract below:

“ Our analysis of Georgetown Canal water samples showed that  E. coli  was present in excess of 10 3  cfu/ml; however, quantitative data on other coliform bacteria were not completed. This study must, therefore, be considered only as a preliminary study.”

The statement, although strong to begin with, ends on an evasive and inconclusive note that leads the reader to doubt the author’s belief in her own research. An acceptable revision would read as follows:

Our analysis of the Georgetown canal water samples showed that  E. coli  was greater than 10 3  cfu/ml. The presence of other coliform bacteria was not investigated but our results clearly indicate that the fecal contamination of the canal is in excess of city standards for public health (reference). In view of these results, we propose that further investigation on the canal be carried out.

This narrative is much more confident. It emphasizes the results and points to their significance, and the reader, in return, is assured of the author’s credibility. Furthermore, the author’s proposal for future research, asserted by these bold statements, appears authoritative, logical and fully justified.  

Documenting your paper thoroughly is a hallmark of good scientific writing. Any ideas or results which are not your own must be cited at the appropriate places. Cite sources in the text using the format recommended by the Council of Science Editors (CSE:  www.councilscienceeditors.org ), often referred to as the name-year system (this is different from the format specified by the Journal of Bacteriology). For example,  “ Staphyococcus aureus  is a Gram-positive coccus, widespread in nature, which has been implicated in a number of human and animal diseases (Tolura, 2008)”  or  “Shimkets and Dworkin (1998) point out that many  Myxococcus  species…”  or  “Water samples were evaluated for  E. coli  contamination following the procedure described by Nathan (2002). ” You do not need to repeat the citation for every sentence attributable to a particular source. However, if you are discussing the work at some length it is advisable to cite the reference at the beginning and the end of the paragraph to indicate that you are still referring to the same source. Do not reference general material that is widely known. For your major sources, you may include your textbook, laboratory manuals, published research and review papers and class handouts. If one or more of your sources is attributable to word of mouth (a discussion with the instructor, for example) then indicate this in the text as “(Morris, DW, personal communication).” This is not repeated in the References section. Use quotations from other authors only sparingly in the text when you need to emphasize a particularly significant aspect that has drawn wide attention.

Sources in the References section can be ordered as they appear in the text or alphabetically. Common examples are given below.

Tolura, GM. 2006. Microbiology. 4 th  ed. San Francisco: WH Freeman. 670 p.

Article or Chapter in an Edited Book

Shimkets, LM, Dworkin, M. 1998. The Myxobacteria. In: Shapiro, JM, Dworkin, M. editors. Bacteria as Multicellular Organisms. Oxford: Blackwell Scientific. p. 121-145.

Journal Article with a Single Author

Neu, H. 1992.. The Crisis in antibiotic resistance. Science. 306: 1064-1073.

Journal Article with Two or More Authors

Chanishvili, N, Chanishvili, T, Tediashvili, NM, Barrow , PA. 2001. Phages and their application against drug-resistant bacteria”.  J. Chem. Technol .  36: 192-198.

District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority (2000).  Facilities: Water Treatment . Retrieved October 29, 2008, from DC Water and Sewer Authority Web site:  https://www.dcwater.com/

Course Handouts or Laboratory Manuals

Morris, DW. 2008. Biological Sciences 137 Laboratory Manual: The George Washington University. 112 p.  

TABLES AND FIGURES

Most scientific papers are supplemented with tables and figures that summarize and present essential data that convey information more effectively than the text. All must be of high quality. When you begin to construct your tables and figures, you must decide how you are going to depict your data most effectively. Is a graph more effective than a table? Do you need both? You must ultimately decide how best to display your data so that it is a convincing argument for your hypothesis and emphasizes the major findings of you research. When you have made your tables and figures, number them consecutively in the order they are referred to in the text. Each should have a title and a brief descriptive legend. It is important that each table and figure stand on its own and still be understandable to the reader.

A common fault beginners make is to include all their data in the form of tables and figures. However, this is unnecessary and in some instances, data can be more easily and more effectively summarized in the text. Tables and figures must include only selective and important data. For example, the table below reflects uniform data and is unnecessary. The data may be explained more concisely in the text as,  “All three strains (NM 102 – 104), originally isolated on mannitol salts agar, were found to be non-motile gram-positive staphylococci and tested positive for catalase and negative for oxidase.”  Tables must display more variable data. The examples in your laboratory manuals contain many good examples.

Table 2 : Morphological and Physiological Characteristics of Thee Independent Clones Isolated on Mannitol Salts Agar.

NS 102

Coccus

Grape-like clusters

+

Non-motile

+

NS 103

Coccus

Grape-like clusters

+

Non-motile

+

NS104

Coccus

Grape-like clusters

+

Non-motile

+

Key:  1  + indicates a gram positive reaction; – indicates a gram negative reaction.  2 + indicates a positive reaction; – indicates no reaction.

Similarly, photographs or drawings of microbial cells can be omitted and described in the text, unless you are pointing out important features on the illustration. If you present graphs, clearly label each axis. Do not be tempted to provide a graph and a table of the same data: one or the other is sufficient.  

DRAFTING AND REVISING

You can expect to produce several drafts of your paper before it is ready for submission. Before you begin, study the instructions for the paper format carefully so that your paper is organized properly from the beginning. In fact, for the first draft, you should concentrate on the content and organization of the paper, and write down all of the information that you wish to include in the paper. Later, you can focus on style, grammar and punctuation. Start with the easiest writing rather than at the beginning. I find that writing the Materials and Methods first is best and it can usually be commenced before the project is finished. Alternatively, you may want to start with the Introduction since much of this can be adapted from your proposal. Be sure to prepare the Tables and Figures before you start writing the Results and Discussion sections. Generally, it is best to write the Abstract last of all, once all of the other sections of the paper have been completed. Be sure the follow the guidelines outline above.

I have found that there is a marked tendency for many beginning writers, lacking confidence in the power of their own prose, to rely on the quotations of other authors when wishing to make important points. This does not necessarily enhance the text and can, in fact, cause the reader to doubt the originality of the paper. It is perfectly permissible to paraphrase carefully material from other authors’ papers as long as the sources are cited. However, if you determine that a quotation will emphasize a particular point you are making, keep it short. A representative example is:  “Baker (2007) describes  Campylobacter jejunii  as the ‘major causative agent of food poisoning deaths among children under five years of age in the U.S.’ His experimental data indicated that at least 67% of reported food poisoning cases were due to this organism.”  The carefully selected quotation, enclosed within the author’s own text, emphasizes, and adds veracity to, the point the author wants to make.

Once you have written the first draft, go through the paper and check that is correctly formatted before you begin revising the text. Pay careful attention to grammar and punctuation. If you have a spell checker on your word processing program, by all means use it, but do not rely on it to detect all errors: these can only be spotted by carefully reading the draft. Proofreading can be tedious, especially if you have spent many hours writing the drafts. However, it is a task that must be performed with the utmost care. I have found that the best way to spot mistakes is to read the paper aloud, either to yourself or someone else. This practice will also enable to revise sentences that are unduly long or drawn out.  

Research Proposal

The research proposal has much in common with the research paper. The proposal asks a question or poses a hypothesis that can be tested experimentally. There is no standard format for proposals, but it is important to conform to the guidelines laid down by the funding agency or organization. Your proposal must adhere to the format given below. The text must be double-spaced and include one-inch margins either side. Refer to Blackboard for sample proposals. The proposal must consist of five sections, beginning with a descriptive  Title . The  Introduction  presents a review of the literature pertinent to the proposed research and leads to  Research Aims  which explicitly states the research question being asked and outlines its significance. The  Methods  section outlines your experimental strategy and, finally, the  References  section records your sources for the proposal.  

A full title of the project, your departmental affiliation and the due date for submission of the proposal should be presented on a single page. You will be working in groups of two or three but each individual must submit her/his proposal independently. The title, as with the research paper, must be specific and informative. The author’s name, affiliation and the submission date must also appear on this page.  

Background information (that is, a brief review of the literature concerning the topic of your proposal) should be presented in this section. To do a good job, you must read the literature carefully and selectively. Be aware of who you are writing for: in this case it will be your instructor and must, therefore, be scientifically accurate. This section should conclude with a short paragraph that states the research problem to be addressed by your proposal.  

RESEARCH AIMS

The next two sections must be written in the future tense. In this section, clearly state the research objectives of your proposal. It is essential that you justify the aims of the proposal. How will it enlarge, clarify or disprove existing knowledge. What makes your proposal unique? Make your arguments convincing, citing references if appropriate. Try to predict the outcome(s) of your research. Finally, is the proposal adequate to address the research problem you have posed, or is it a preliminary investigation? Remember, you only have three weeks in which to carry out the research so you must be realistic about what you can accomplish in this short time.  

Describe the experiments to be conducted and the order in which they will be carried out. If you expect problems or ambiguities to arise, how would you explain or solve them? A detailed description of each experimental step need not be given (procedures for common microbiological techniques, such as Gram staining for example, should not be detailed at all) as long as the procedures are referenced and you explain why you are using this strategy. Point out the kinds of data you expect to generate and how you would evaluate and interpret it. Finally, be careful to explain how the data would support your hypothesis.  

References should be indicated in the text and cited in this section in the name-year manner as in the research paper.  

The WID Studio is a primary source of help and students are encouraged to use this facility. Two recent and helpful books on writing in the biological sciences are also available:

McMillan, VE. 2006. Writing Papers in the Biological Sciences. 4 th  ed. Boston: Bedford/St.Martins. 269 p.

Pechenik, JA. 2007 A Short Guide to Writing about Biology. 6 th  ed. New York: Pearson Longman. 281 p.

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How to prepare a Research Proposal

Health research, medical education and clinical practice form the three pillars of modern day medical practice. As one authority rightly put it: ‘Health research is not a luxury, but an essential need that no nation can afford to ignore’. Health research can and should be pursued by a broad range of people. Even if they do not conduct research themselves, they need to grasp the principles of the scientific method to understand the value and limitations of science and to be able to assess and evaluate results of research before applying them. This review paper aims to highlight the essential concepts to the students and beginning researchers and sensitize and motivate the readers to access the vast literature available on research methodologies.

Most students and beginning researchers do not fully understand what a research proposal means, nor do they understand its importance. 1 A research proposal is a detailed description of a proposed study designed to investigate a given problem. 2

A research proposal is intended to convince others that you have a worthwhile research project and that you have the competence and the work-plan to complete it. Broadly the research proposal must address the following questions regardless of your research area and the methodology you choose: What you plan to accomplish, why do you want to do it and how are you going to do it. 1 The aim of this article is to highlight the essential concepts and not to provide extensive details about this topic.

The elements of a research proposal are highlighted below:

1. Title: It should be concise and descriptive. It must be informative and catchy. An effective title not only prick’s the readers interest, but also predisposes him/her favorably towards the proposal. Often titles are stated in terms of a functional relationship, because such titles clearly indicate the independent and dependent variables. 1 The title may need to be revised after completion of writing of the protocol to reflect more closely the sense of the study. 3

2. Abstract: It is a brief summary of approximately 300 words. It should include the main research question, the rationale for the study, the hypothesis (if any) and the method. Descriptions of the method may include the design, procedures, the sample and any instruments that will be used. 1 It should stand on its own, and not refer the reader to points in the project description. 3

3. Introduction: The introduction provides the readers with the background information. Its purpose is to establish a framework for the research, so that readers can understand how it relates to other research. 4 It should answer the question of why the research needs to be done and what will be its relevance. It puts the proposal in context. 3

The introduction typically begins with a statement of the research problem in precise and clear terms. 1

The importance of the statement of the research problem 5 : The statement of the problem is the essential basis for the construction of a research proposal (research objectives, hypotheses, methodology, work plan and budget etc). It is an integral part of selecting a research topic. It will guide and put into sharper focus the research design being considered for solving the problem. It allows the investigator to describe the problem systematically, to reflect on its importance, its priority in the country and region and to point out why the proposed research on the problem should be undertaken. It also facilitates peer review of the research proposal by the funding agencies.

Then it is necessary to provide the context and set the stage for the research question in such a way as to show its necessity and importance. 1 This step is necessary for the investigators to familiarize themselves with existing knowledge about the research problem and to find out whether or not others have investigated the same or similar problems. This step is accomplished by a thorough and critical review of the literature and by personal communication with experts. 5 It helps further understanding of the problem proposed for research and may lead to refining the statement of the problem, to identify the study variables and conceptualize their relationships, and in formulation and selection of a research hypothesis. 5 It ensures that you are not "re-inventing the wheel" and demonstrates your understanding of the research problem. It gives due credit to those who have laid the groundwork for your proposed research. 1 In a proposal, the literature review is generally brief and to the point. The literature selected should be pertinent and relevant. 6

Against this background, you then present the rationale of the proposed study and clearly indicate why it is worth doing.

4. Objectives: Research objectives are the goals to be achieved by conducting the research. 5 They may be stated as ‘general’ and ‘specific’.

The general objective of the research is what is to be accomplished by the research project, for example, to determine whether or not a new vaccine should be incorporated in a public health program.

The specific objectives relate to the specific research questions the investigator wants to answer through the proposed study and may be presented as primary and secondary objectives, for example, primary: To determine the degree of protection that is attributable to the new vaccine in a study population by comparing the vaccinated and unvaccinated groups. 5 Secondary: To study the cost-effectiveness of this programme.

Young investigators are advised to resist the temptation to put too many objectives or over-ambitious objectives that cannot be adequately achieved by the implementation of the protocol. 3

5. Variables: During the planning stage, it is necessary to identify the key variables of the study and their method of measurement and unit of measurement must be clearly indicated. Four types of variables are important in research 5 :

a. Independent variables: variables that are manipulated or treated in a study in order to see what effect differences in them will have on those variables proposed as being dependent on them. The different synonyms for the term ‘independent variable’ which are used in literature are: cause, input, predisposing factor, risk factor, determinant, antecedent, characteristic and attribute.

b. Dependent variables: variables in which changes are results of the level or amount of the independent variable or variables.

Synonyms: effect, outcome, consequence, result, condition, disease.

c. Confounding or intervening variables: variables that should be studied because they may influence or ‘mix’ the effect of the independent variables. For instance, in a study of the effect of measles (independent variable) on child mortality (dependent variable), the nutritional status of the child may play an intervening (confounding) role.

d. Background variables: variables that are so often of relevance in investigations of groups or populations that they should be considered for possible inclusion in the study. For example sex, age, ethnic origin, education, marital status, social status etc.

The objective of research is usually to determine the effect of changes in one or more independent variables on one or more dependent variables. For example, a study may ask "Will alcohol intake (independent variable) have an effect on development of gastric ulcer (dependent variable)?"

Certain variables may not be easy to identify. The characteristics that define these variables must be clearly identified for the purpose of the study.

6. Questions and/ or hypotheses: If you as a researcher know enough to make prediction concerning what you are studying, then the hypothesis may be formulated. A hypothesis can be defined as a tentative prediction or explanation of the relationship between two or more variables. In other words, the hypothesis translates the problem statement into a precise, unambiguous prediction of expected outcomes. Hypotheses are not meant to be haphazard guesses, but should reflect the depth of knowledge, imagination and experience of the investigator. 5 In the process of formulating the hypotheses, all variables relevant to the study must be identified. For example: "Health education involving active participation by mothers will produce more positive changes in child feeding than health education based on lectures". Here the independent variable is types of health education and the dependent variable is changes in child feeding.

A research question poses a relationship between two or more variables but phrases the relationship as a question; a hypothesis represents a declarative statement of the relations between two or more variables. 7

For exploratory or phenomenological research, you may not have any hypothesis (please do not confuse the hypothesis with the statistical null hypothesis). 1 Questions are relevant to normative or census type research (How many of them are there? Is there a relationship between them?). Deciding whether to use questions or hypotheses depends on factors such as the purpose of the study, the nature of the design and methodology, and the audience of the research (at times even the outlook and preference of the committee members, particularly the Chair). 6

7. Methodology: The method section is very important because it tells your research Committee how you plan to tackle your research problem. The guiding principle for writing the Methods section is that it should contain sufficient information for the reader to determine whether the methodology is sound. Some even argue that a good proposal should contain sufficient details for another qualified researcher to implement the study. 1 Indicate the methodological steps you will take to answer every question or to test every hypothesis illustrated in the Questions/hypotheses section. 6 It is vital that you consult a biostatistician during the planning stage of your study, 8 to resolve the methodological issues before submitting the proposal.

This section should include:

Research design: The selection of the research strategy is the core of research design and is probably the single most important decision the investigator has to make. The choice of the strategy, whether descriptive, analytical, experimental, operational or a combination of these depend on a number of considerations, 5 but this choice must be explained in relation to the study objectives. 3

Research subjects or participants: Depending on the type of your study, the following questions should be answered 3 , 5

  • - What are the criteria for inclusion or selection?
  • - What are the criteria for exclusion?
  • - What is the sampling procedure you will use so as to ensure representativeness and reliability of the sample and to minimize sampling errors? The key reason for being concerned with sampling is the issue of validity-both internal and external of the study results. 9
  • - Will there be use of controls in your study? Controls or comparison groups are used in scientific research in order to increase the validity of the conclusions. Control groups are necessary in all analytical epidemiological studies, in experimental studies of drug trials, in research on effects of intervention programmes and disease control measures and in many other investigations. Some descriptive studies (studies of existing data, surveys) may not require control groups.
  • - What are the criteria for discontinuation?

Sample size: The proposal should provide information and justification (basis on which the sample size is calculated) about sample size in the methodology section. 3 A larger sample size than needed to test the research hypothesis increases the cost and duration of the study and will be unethical if it exposes human subjects to any potential unnecessary risk without additional benefit. A smaller sample size than needed can also be unethical as it exposes human subjects to risk with no benefit to scientific knowledge. Calculation of sample size has been made easy by computer software programmes, but the principles underlying the estimation should be well understood.

Interventions: If an intervention is introduced, a description must be given of the drugs or devices (proprietary names, manufacturer, chemical composition, dose, frequency of administration) if they are already commercially available. If they are in phases of experimentation or are already commercially available but used for other indications, information must be provided on available pre-clinical investigations in animals and/or results of studies already conducted in humans (in such cases, approval of the drug regulatory agency in the country is needed before the study). 3

Ethical issues 3 : Ethical considerations apply to all types of health research. Before the proposal is submitted to the Ethics Committee for approval, two important documents mentioned below (where appropriate) must be appended to the proposal. In additions, there is another vital issue of Conflict of Interest, wherein the researchers should furnish a statement regarding the same.

The Informed consent form (informed decision-making): A consent form, where appropriate, must be developed and attached to the proposal. It should be written in the prospective subjects’ mother tongue and in simple language which can be easily understood by the subject. The use of medical terminology should be avoided as far as possible. Special care is needed when subjects are illiterate. It should explain why the study is being done and why the subject has been asked to participate. It should describe, in sequence, what will happen in the course of the study, giving enough detail for the subject to gain a clear idea of what to expect. It should clarify whether or not the study procedures offer any benefits to the subject or to others, and explain the nature, likelihood and treatment of anticipated discomfort or adverse effects, including psychological and social risks, if any. Where relevant, a comparison with risks posed by standard drugs or treatment must be included. If the risks are unknown or a comparative risk cannot be given it should be so stated. It should indicate that the subject has the right to withdraw from the study at any time without, in any way, affecting his/her further medical care. It should assure the participant of confidentiality of the findings.

Ethics checklist: The proposal must describe the measures that will be undertaken to ensure that the proposed research is carried out in accordance with the World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki on Ethical Principles for Medical research involving Human Subjects. 10 It must answer the following questions:

  • • Is the research design adequate to provide answers to the research question? It is unethical to expose subjects to research that will have no value.
  • • Is the method of selection of research subjects justified? The use of vulnerable subjects as research participants needs special justification. Vulnerable subjects include those in prison, minors and persons with mental disability. In international research it is important to mention that the population in which the study is conducted will benefit from any potential outcome of the research and the research is not being conducted solely for the benefit of some other population. Justification is needed for any inducement, financial or otherwise, for the participants to be enrolled in the study.
  • • Are the interventions justified, in terms of risk/benefit ratio? Risks are not limited to physical harm. Psychological and social risks must also be considered.
  • • For observations made, have measures been taken to ensure confidentiality?

Research setting 5 : The research setting includes all the pertinent facets of the study, such as the population to be studied (sampling frame), the place and time of study.

Study instruments 3 , 5 : Instruments are the tools by which the data are collected. For validated questionnaires/interview schedules, reference to published work should be given and the instrument appended to the proposal. For new a questionnaire which is being designed specifically for your study the details about preparing, precoding and pretesting of questionnaire should be furnished and the document appended to the proposal. Descriptions of other methods of observations like medical examination, laboratory tests and screening procedures is necessary- for established procedures, reference of published work cited but for new or modified procedure, an adequate description is necessary with justification for the same.

Collection of data: A short description of the protocol of data collection. For example, in a study on blood pressure measurement: time of participant arrival, rest for 5p. 10 minutes, which apparatus (standard calibrated) to be used, in which room to take measurement, measurement in sitting or lying down position, how many measurements, measurement in which arm first (whether this is going to be randomized), details of cuff and its placement, who will take the measurement. This minimizes the possibility of confusion, delays and errors.

Data analysis: The description should include the design of the analysis form, plans for processing and coding the data and the choice of the statistical method to be applied to each data. What will be the procedures for accounting for missing, unused or spurious data?

Monitoring, supervision and quality control: Detailed statement about the all logistical issues to satisfy the requirements of Good Clinical Practices (GCP), protocol procedures, responsibilities of each member of the research team, training of study investigators, steps taken to assure quality control (laboratory procedures, equipment calibration etc)

Gantt chart: A Gantt chart is an overview of tasks/proposed activities and a time frame for the same. You put weeks, days or months at one side, and the tasks at the other. You draw fat lines to indicate the period the task will be performed to give a timeline for your research study (take help of tutorial on youtube). 11

Significance of the study: Indicate how your research will refine, revise or extend existing knowledge in the area under investigation. How will it benefit the concerned stakeholders? What could be the larger implications of your research study?

Dissemination of the study results: How do you propose to share the findings of your study with professional peers, practitioners, participants and the funding agency?

Budget: A proposal budget with item wise/activity wise breakdown and justification for the same. Indicate how will the study be financed.

References: The proposal should end with relevant references on the subject. For web based search include the date of access for the cited website, for example: add the sentence "accessed on June 10, 2008".

Appendixes: Include the appropriate appendixes in the proposal. For example: Interview protocols, sample of informed consent forms, cover letters sent to appropriate stakeholders, official letters for permission to conduct research. Regarding original scales or questionnaires, if the instrument is copyrighted then permission in writing to reproduce the instrument from the copyright holder or proof of purchase of the instrument must be submitted.

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MICROBIOLOGY PROJECT TOPICS

Below are some PROJECT TOPICS for your undergraduate and postgraduate (M.Sc. & Ph.D.) research studies. These project topics are only “suggestive in nature. This implies that they can be used as they are, or they can be modified and used as you so deem fit.

@ www.MicrobiologyClass.net we are interested in the academic- and self-development of our users, and that is why we have taken it upon ourselves to update on these topics from time to time, so that our users will always have free access to the project topics of their choice.

In case you have any project topic that you will like us to include to the list, please feel free to submit your suggested project topic through our email below. Our editorial team members will look at it, and add them to the list. You can also submit such “suggested project topic” through: [email protected]

  • Physiology and ecology of the neonatal gut microbiota
  • Biodegradable Polymer Degradation in Compost Environments
  • The Influence of Invasive Species on Host-Associated Microbiomes 
  • Impacts of bacterial associated ectomycorrhizal fungi on forest fungal and tree growth 
  • Emerging pollutant transformation and reactive oxygen species formation by oxygenase enzymes in different microbiomes
  • Survival and resuscitation mechanisms of desert soil bacteria
  • The effect of seasonal oxygen fluctuations on aquatic microbiomes
  • Microbiome-Enhanced Silicate Weathering
  • Comparative Analysis of Gut Microbiomes in Chinchillas and mice for pathogen research
  • Characterization of Probiotic Properties of Limosilactobacillus fermentum
  • Whole-Genome Analysis of  Lactobacillus johnsonii
  • Effect of flouroquinolones and aminoglycosides mixtures on soil bacterial activity
  • Evolution and spread of antibiotic resistant bacteria on antimicrobial surfaces in hospitals
  • Determination of the single and combined effects of antibiotics on soil bacterial and fungal communities
  • Characterization of PVL-positive MRSA isolates.
  • Effect of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum strains on the intestinal microbiome.
  • Prevalence of Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli in children and adults.
  • Isolation and characterization of entomopathogenic fungi from soil.
  • Genomic analysis of hydrocarbon oxidizing sulphur bacteria.
  • Investigation of the biodegrading potentials of Fervidobacteriumpennivorans .
  • Effect of calcium on the genetic makeup of Gemmatimonas phototrophica .
  • Modulation of Mycorrhizal colonization for improved food production.
  • Isolation and characterization of novel antimicrobial compounds from endophytes.
  • Isolation and characterization of novel antimicrobial compounds from lichens.
  • Monitoring of wastewaters for the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 to mitigate COVID-19 spread.
  • Metagenomics to unravel novel antimicrobial resistance genes in hospital environment.
  • Determination of quorum sensing and biofilm-forming capability in Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from door handles, sinks, beddings and floor of hospitals 
  • Occurrence and serotyping of Salmonella species from blood samples of in- and out-patients
  • Prevalence, antibiogram and PCR detection of the virulence-associated genes of Acinetobacter baumannii
  • Prevalence and Plasmid Profile of Fluoroquinolone – Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (FQRSA) isolated from clinical samples
  • Bacteriological and Physicochemical Parameters of Selected Borehole Water Sources
  • Prevalence, antibiogram and PCR detection of the virulence-associated genes of Aeromonas hydrophila
  • Preliminary Studies on the Antibacterial Activities of Leaf Extracts of Azadirachta indica and Psidium guajava on Methicillin and Vancomycin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus .
  • Prevalence, antibiogram and PCR detection of the virulence-associated genes of Salmonella and Shigella spcecies
  • Molecular Detection of Panton-Valentine Leukocidin (PVL) Toxins in Clinical Isolates of Staphylococcus aureus
  • Prevalence, antibiogram and PCR detection of the virulence-associated genes of Candida auris
  • Prevalence, antibiogram and Plasmid Profile of Fluoroquinolone – Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (FQRSA) isolated from poultry and abattoir samples
  • Prevalence, antibiogram and PCR detection of the virulence-associated genes of Candida albicans
  • Evaluation of the antibacterial activity of Parkia biglobosa, Hymenocardia acida and Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides extracts on pathogenic Gram negative and Gram positive bacteria
  • Prevalence, antibiogram and PCR detection of the virulence-associated genes of Vibrio cholerae
  • Detection and antibiogram of constitutive- and inducible-clindamycin-resistance in clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus
  • Prevalence, antibiogram and PCR detection of the virulence-associated genes of Enterococcus faecalis
  • Antibacterial Activity of Adenia Cissampeloides Plant Extracts on some selected Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria
  • Evaluation of the Efficacy, Quality and Safety of Hepatitis B Vaccines stored in cold-chain systems
  • Prevalence, antibiogram and PCR detection of the virulence-associated genes of Listeria monocytogenes
  • Phytochemical and Antimicrobial analysis of hulls and nuts of Tetracarpidium conophorum (Ukpa) on selected Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria
  • Prevalence, antibiogram and PCR detection of the virulence-associated genes of Mycobacterium species
  • Prevalence, antibiogram and PCR detection of the virulence-associated genes of Escherichia coli
  • In Vitro Susceptibility Test of Different Clinical bacterial Isolates against first generation cephalosporins
  • Determination and isolation  of the metabolites of endophytic Colletotrichum gloeosporioides isolated from leaves of Carica papaya
  • Isolation and characterization of bacteria and fungi associated with the biodegradation of municipal solid waste matter
  • In Vitro Susceptibility Test of Different Clinical bacterial Isolates against second generation cephalosporins
  • Isolation, antibiogram and characterization of vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus from clinical bacterial isolates
  • In Vitro Susceptibility Test of Different Clinical bacterial Isolates against third generation cephalosporins
  • Determination of Bioethanol Production from Corncob Hydrolysed by Cellulase of Aspergillus niger Using Zymomonas mobilis and Saccharomyces cerevisiae
  • In Vitro Susceptibility Test of Different Clinical bacterial Isolates against fourth generation cephalosporins
  • In Vitro Susceptibility Test of Different Clinical bacterial Isolates against fifth generation cephalosporins
  • Evaluation of the Efficacy, Quality and Safety of Hepatitis B Vaccines sold in the open market
  • In Vitro Susceptibility Test of Different Clinical fungal Isolates against ketoconazole and nystatin
  • Phenotypic detection of extended spectrum beta lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli isolates from hospital samples
  • Phenotypic detection of metallo beta lactamase (MBL)-producing Escherichia coli isolates from hospital samples
  • Phenotypic detection of AmpC enzyme producing Escherichia coli isolates from hospital samples
  • Phenotypic detection of ESBL producing Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates from hospital samples
  • Phenotypic detection of metallo beta lactamase (MBL)-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates from hospital samples
  • Phenotypic detection of AmpC enzyme producing Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates from hospital samples
  • Phenotypic detection of ESBL producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates from hospital samples
  • Phenotypic detection of metallo beta lactamase (MBL)-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates from hospital samples
  • Phenotypic detection of AmpC enzyme producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates from hospital samples
  • Isolation of Bacillus species with antibiotic-producing ability from soil samples
  • Detection of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)isolates from clinical samples
  • Phenotypic detection of vancomycin resistant Enterococcus species from clinical samples
  • Detection of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates from pig dung’s
  • Detection of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates from cow dung’s
  • Prevalence of Schistosoma haematobium infection in a primary school
  • Prevalence of Schistosoma bovis infection in abattoir houses
  • Prevalence of Schistosoma bovis infection in intestinal tract of slaughtered animals
  • Evolution of biocide resistance in clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa
  • PCR detection of virulence-associated genes in multidrug resistant clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli
  • Molecular characterization of antibiotic resistant genes in methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates of clinical origin
  • PCR determination of panton valentine leukocidin genes in methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates
  • Comparison of Cefoxitin and Oxacillin Disk Diffusion Methods for Detection of mecA-Mediated Resistance in Staphylococcus aureus
  • PCR detection of mecA gene in methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates
  • Antimicrobial susceptibility profile of methicillin resistant coagulase negative staphylococci (CoNS) strains of hospital origin
  • Antibiogram of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli isolates recovered from ready to eat food samples
  • Susceptibility profile of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli isolates recovered from Zobo drink samples
  • Antimicrobial susceptibility profile of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli isolates recovered from Soya milk drink samples
  • Prevalence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli isolates in marketed sachet and bottled waters
  • Phenotypic Detection of Methicillin Resistance in Staphylococcus aureus by Disk Diffusion Testing and Etest
  • Prevalence of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates in pig farms
  • Prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility profile of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates from cattle farms
  • Detection and prevalence of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates from goat farms
  • Antimicrobial susceptibility patterns and occurrence of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates in poultry farms
  • Antimicrobial susceptibility profile of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli isolates recovered from faecal samples of poultry birds
  • Antimicrobial susceptibility profile of bacterial pathogens recovered from free-range birds or fowls
  • Isolation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae from fresh and soured palm wine marketed in local and urban markets
  • Determination of the ethanolic and methanolic extracts of the root, leaves and stem of Azadirachta indica on Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli clinical isolates 
  • Determination of the ethanolic and methanolic extracts of the root, leaves and stem of Garcinia kola on Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli clinical isolates 
  • Determination of the ethanolic and methanolic extracts of the root, leaves and stem of Carica papaya on Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli clinical isolates 
  • Determination of the ethanolic and methanolic extracts of the root, leaves and stem of Zingiber officinale on Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli clinical isolates 
  • Investigation of Schistosoma species in Pond Water Snails
  • Detection of Plasmid Borne Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamase Enzymes from Blood and Urine Isolates of Gram – Negative Bacteria
  • Detection of Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates Producing CTX-M-15 Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamases
  • Detection of extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli isolates from suspected community acquired urinary tract infections
  • Doripenem and ertapenem resistance amongst ESBL positive and AmpC positive Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae clinical isolates.
  • Detection of extended-Spectrum Βeta-Lactamase – Producing Escherichia Coli Strains of Poultry Origin
  • Detection of extended-Spectrum Βeta-Lactamase – Producing Escherichia Coli Strains of abattoir Origin
  • Microbiological investigation of Escherichia coli isolates from cloacal and feacal swabs of broiler chickens for AmpC enzymes and metallo beta lactamase enzymes
  • Frequency and antibiogram of uropathogens isolated from Urine Samples of HIV Infected Patients
  • Inhibitory effects of neem and Bitter kola leaves on selected pathogenic bacteria and fungi
  • Detection of Extended Spectrum β-Lactamase Enzymes from Otitis Media Bacteria Pathogens.
  • Cloacal faecal carriage and occurrence of antibiotic resistant Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in chicken grown with and without antibiotic supplemented feed
  • Evaluation of antibacterial activities of some Nigerian medicinal plants against some Gram negative resistant bacteria pathogens
  • Detection of ESBL-producing Gram negative bacteria using Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry.
  • Prevalence and antibiogram of Aeromonas hydrophila isolated from water samples
  • Determination of the Quality of Commercial Antibacterial Discs Available in Nigerian market
  • Determination of the Medicinal Efficacy of Acetone, Aqueous, Methanol and Ethanol Crude Extracts of Mangifera indica Leaf
  • Phytochemical analysis and Antimicrobial Activity of Ethanolic and Methanolic Stem and Root Extracts of Cnestis ferruginea on Multidrug Resistant Bacteria of clinical origin
  • Prevalence and antibiogram of Salmonella species, Shigella species and Staphylococcus aureus in retail meats
  • Determination of the Microbial Contamination and prevalence of multidrug resistant bacteria of Ready-to-Eat Fried Chicken Meat
  • Antimicrobial susceptibility profile of Staphylococcus aureus from Healthy School Pupils
  • Antibiogram of Streptococcus pneumoniae Isolated from the Nasopharyngeal Mucosa of primary school children
  • Antifungal and antibacterial activities of Ocimum gratissimum and Gongronema latifolium leaves on Colletotrichum species
  • Phytochemical analysis and Antibacterial activity of Crude Extracts from Leaves of Wonderful Kola on some selected Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria
  • Antibiotic sensitivity profiles of biofilm-producing bacterial isolates from clinical and water samples
  • Metagenomics to unravel novel AMR in food chain.

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microbiology research topics

Microbiology topics are some of the most researched ideas. This field entails the study of different microorganisms, ranging from eukaryotic fungi and single-celled organisms to cell-cluster organisms. When pursuing a microbiology course in a university or college, your educators will ask you to write academic papers on microbiology research topics.

Choosing the right microbiology topics to write about is essential because it determines the direction of your research and writing processes. Therefore, take your time to identify a topic you will be comfortable working with from the beginning to the end.

Top Microbiology Topics for Research

If looking for the top microbiology research paper topics, this list has some of the best ideas to explore. That’s because most people are searching for information related to these topics in microbiology.

  • Bioterrorism- Bioweapons limit with technological developments
  • Antibiotics resistance- A major limitation in medicine
  • Extraterrestrial life- Existing life evidence in space
  • Gene therapy- Gene therapy as a controversial biology topic
  • Cloning- Latest developments in cloning research
  • Antibacterial products-Latest discoveries explaining the possibility of antibacterial products effects on the immune system
  • What is the future of microbiology research, both theoretically and technologically?
  • Epidemics- Current disease control protocols and possible solutions
  • Vaccines- Recent research about the effectiveness of vaccines like flue
  • Food preservation methods- How technology enhances safe food preservation and consumption

These are brilliant microbiology project topics. However, you need time and effort to research any of these topics and come up with an awesome paper.

Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology

Maybe you want to research and write about current topics in microbiology and immunology. That means you’re looking for topics that will enable you to explore recent information in this area. In that case, consider these microbiology topics in the news.

  • Virus-like particle vaccines for protozoan parasites and respiratory viruses
  • Quorum sensing and campylobacter biofilm formation in molecular mechanisms
  • Campylobacter horizontal gene and natural competence transfer
  • Murine investigation models for innate immune response and colonization resistance in campylobacter jejuni infections
  • iBALT role in respiratory immunity
  • Antiviral immunity for pyroptosis
  • Damage to the sensing tissue by Myeloid c-Type Lectin receptors
  • How antifungal drugs modify the cell wall
  • Host cell’s death pathways manipulation by the Herpes Simplex virus
  • Type II Secretion system structures in needle filaments
  • RIP Kinase signaling outcomes during neuro-invasive infection by virus
  • Innate immune system pathological and physiological functions of CARD 9 signaling
  • The genetics of the Lassa virus
  • Genital immunity’s memory lymphocyte- Tissue-resident memory T cells’ role
  • Delivery and formulation technologies for the mRNA vaccines
  • Peptide and protein nanocluster vaccines
  • Reovirus’ cell killing- Consequences and mechanisms
  • Leptospirosis reference lab’s role
  • Hypoxia-inducible and hypoxia factors in stem cell maintenance among cancer patients
  • Development of dengue vaccine

Pick any of these new research topics in microbiology if your goal is to work on recent information. Nevertheless, take your time reading recent literature in this field to come up with an awesome paper.

Interesting Topics in Microbiology

Perhaps, you’re looking for microbiology projects topics that most people will find interesting to read about. In that case, consider these interesting microbiology topics.

  • Techniques and methodologies for future research about the virus
  • Redox-active metabolite’s roles in microbial signaling
  • The role and emergence of yeast as a baking industry’s preservative
  • Host-pathogenic interactions study with a focus on redox and cellular metals
  • Yeast non-conventional use in the wine-making industry
  • Microbiota- What is the bifidobacterila’s role in the human gut?
  • Virus role in vaccines development and improvement in third world countries
  • Heath- Microbiology role in addressing antibiotic resistance
  • Human microbial ecosystems study- Microbe interactions
  • Impact and role of viruses in large animals’ health
  • How bacteria in complex organisms respond to stress
  • Cell to cell interaction and social behavior in bacteria interactions
  • Norovirus cross-contamination investigation during service procedures in the food industry in fresh produce preparation
  • Transfer rate determination in Salmonella sp. From nut butter to food materials
  • Listeria monacytogenes comparative genomic analysis for survival within a food processing situation
  • Thermal resistance and survival of desiccated Salmonella in dry and moist food processing environments
  • Effective cleaning products for removing food matrix with B. Thuringiensis spores and B. Cereus
  • Analysis of cleaning procedures’ effects on Bacillus spores
  • How temperature affects viruses survival in vegetables and fruits
  • How temperature and time combine to stimulate C. botulinum spores to germinate or produce a toxin

This category has some of the most interesting and easy microbiology research topics. However, take your time to research the topic you choose to write a paper that will impress your educator to award you the top grade.

Medical Microbiology Research Topics

Maybe you want to explore microbiology and human health topics. In that case, consider these medical-related microbiology paper topics.

  • Probiotics- A study of their preparation
  • How to prevent sickle cell anemia
  • The growth of mold
  • How fertilizes, polythene and manure affect the hypocotyl’s elongation rate
  • How cinnamon and curry inhibit the growth of bacteria
  • How oil spills affect microorganisms in the oceans
  • Reproducing yeast in sugar substitutes
  • Why vitamin c affects the rotting rate for fruits
  • Effective toothbrush disinfecting methods
  • Describe the spread of Ebola

Consider any of these microbiology research topics research paper if interested in something to do with medicine. However, take your time to identify good and authentic information sources before you start writing your paper. That’s because your educator will be interested in unique and relevant content.

Microbiology Research Topics for Undergraduates

Are you pursuing undergraduate studies in microbiology? If yes, you will find these microbiology research topics for college students interesting.

  • Using polymerase chain reaction to diagnose infectious diseases
  • Preliminary antimicrobial and phytochemical screening of coat and seed of citrus sinensis
  • Microbiology effect on mining
  • Human skin colonization by bacteria
  • Sweet orange’s antibacterial activity on Escherichia coli and staphylococcus aureus isolated from wound infection
  • The susceptibility pattern of bacteria to antibiotics
  • Bush pear analysis and the oil project
  • Spoilt avocado microbial examination- What it reveals
  • Characterization and isolation of microorganisms from a stored pap
  • CryoEM use in understanding pathogen resistance and transport
  • Additive manufacture of skin-facing antimicrobial devices for surgery
  • Oral bacteria’s role in cardiovascular disease
  • Nutrient-mediated ‘Dual warhead’ antimicrobials’ delivery
  • Induction mechanisms of the protective lung tissue memory cells in influenza
  • The activity of eukaryotic, elucidating topoisomerase in homologous recombination
  • Oral bacteria involvement in chronic periodontitis- Metabolomics investigation
  • Effect of metal nanoparticles on the multi-species biofilm consortia- A metabolomics investigation
  • How vaping or smoking affects the risk of CoV-2, SARS, and COVID-19 outcomes
  • Soil contaminants risks on below and above ground eco-systems in urban areas
  • Protective microbes- How to rebuild microbiota when treating AMR infection

This category also has some of the best microbiology topics for presentation. However, get ready to research any of these topics to write an impressive paper.

Hot Topics in Microbiology

Perhaps, you’re looking for the most interesting microbiology essay topics to research and write about. In that case, consider some of the ideas in this category.

  • Shea butter’s microbiological analysis
  • Research of tapeworms and their dangers
  • Influenza spread in the world and its impact on the war
  • Restriction-modification cellular microbiology
  • Applied microbiology- Biofuels generation using microorganisms
  • Microscope invention and its effect on microbiology knowledge
  • Microbiology role in food industries and pharmaceutical
  • How microbiology has helped in preventing life-threatening illnesses
  • Bacterial polymer- A study of cyanophycin
  • A study of the functionalities and properties of wetland bacteria
  • Microbiological study of a commercial preparation of yogurts
  • A study of bacteria that withstand antibiotics
  • Human immunodeficiency virus diagnosis- How it’s done
  • A study of plasmodium species correlation
  • A study of onions’ microorganisms
  • An investigation of starch fermentation, specificities, and activities of its enzymes
  • Listeria growth and survival in freshly cut vegetables
  • Low moisture food inoculation protocols
  • Survival and growth of Salmonella during partially sprouted products processing and chia powders
  • Environmental organisms’ risk assessment and the importance of better control and knowledge

This category also has some of the best food microbiology topics. Nevertheless, students should be ready to spend time and effort researching any of these ideas before writing. That’s because educators expect them to present fresh and relevant information in their papers.

Learners have many topics or ideas to consider when researching and writing academic papers. However, every student should look for an interesting topic they are comfortable researching and writing about. That’s because writing a research paper or essay takes time. Choosing a boring topic means a learner will spend their time working on something they’re not interested in. And this can reflect on the quality of their paper. Thus, their grade will suffer.

biology research topics

Manandmicrobes

research proposal microbiology

33 New Medical microbiology project topics

Medical microbiology plays a crucial role in understanding and combating infectious diseases. Conducting a well-planned and meaningful project in this field is essential for advancing our knowledge and finding innovative solutions. 

Choosing the right project topic is a critical first step in ensuring the success and impact of your research. In this article, we will explore various medical microbiology project topic ideas, research methodologies, project planning, data analysis, and more. 

Importance of Medical Microbiology Projects 

Medical microbiology projects contribute significantly to our understanding of pathogens, antimicrobial resistance, host-microbe interactions, and disease mechanisms. 

By conducting research in this field, we can unravel the mysteries of infectious diseases and develop strategies for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. 

Significance of Choosing the Right Topic 

Selecting an appropriate project topic is paramount to the success of your research. It should align with your interests, address a relevant research gap, and have practical implications . 

The right topic will not only engage you throughout the project but also contribute valuable insights to the field of medical microbiology.

33 intriguing project topic ideas to consider

Here’s a non-exhaustive list of medical microbiology project topics for undergraduates and MSc students.

Topic 1: Investigating the Role of Gut Microbiota in Autoimmune Diseases 

Autoimmune diseases have been linked to alterations in the gut microbiota. This project aims to explore the relationship between gut microbiota composition and the development, progression, and management of autoimmune diseases. 

By studying microbial diversity, immune responses, and metabolomic profiles, we can gain valuable insights into potential therapeutic interventions. 

Topic 2: Antibiotic Resistance Patterns of Common Pathogens 

Antibiotic resistance poses a significant global health threat. This project focuses on investigating the antibiotic resistance patterns of common pathogens, such as Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, in a local hospital setting. 

By identifying the prevalent resistance mechanisms and associated risk factors, we can optimize antimicrobial therapy and develop strategies for infection control. 

Topic 3: Impact of Microbial Biofilms on Chronic Wound Infections 

Biofilms play a crucial role in chronic wound infections, leading to treatment challenges. 

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This project aims to understand the formation, composition, and antimicrobial resistance mechanisms of biofilms associated with chronic wounds. 

By elucidating the intricate interactions between biofilm communities and host factors, we can develop novel approaches to manage and prevent these infections.

4. Characterization of antibiotic resistance mechanisms in multidrug-resistant bacteria. 

5. Investigation of the role of biofilms in chronic infections. 

6. Exploring the impact of probiotics on gut microbiota composition and health. 

7. Elucidating the molecular basis of viral-host interactions in viral infections. 

8. Analysis of the microbiome in patients with autoimmune diseases. 

9. Assessing the effectiveness of phage therapy against antibiotic-resistant bacteria. 

10. Identification and characterization of novel antimicrobial compounds from natural sources. 

11. Investigating the role of the microbiome in the development of allergies and asthma. 

12. Understanding the mechanisms of horizontal gene transfer in antibiotic resistance dissemination. 

13. Evaluation of the efficacy of novel disinfectants in healthcare settings. 

14. Molecular epidemiology of nosocomial infections and surveillance of antibiotic-resistant pathogens. 

15. Investigating the impact of climate change on the spread of vector-borne diseases. 

16. Studying the role of microbiota in the development and progression of colorectal cancer. 

17. Analysis of the microbial diversity in dental plaque and its association with oral health. 

18. Exploring the potential of bacteriophages as alternatives to antibiotics in treating bacterial infections. 

19. Investigating the impact of environmental factors on the microbiota of the skin. 

20. Characterization of the role of gut microbiota in metabolic disorders, such as obesity and diabetes. 

21. Understanding the mechanisms of antifungal drug resistance in Candida species. 

22. Evaluation of the efficacy of different sterilization techniques in medical device manufacturing. 

23. Investigation of the role of microbial communities in chronic wound infections. 

24. Analysis of the impact of vaccination on the prevalence and diversity of infectious diseases. 

25. Identification and characterization of novel drug targets in pathogenic bacteria. 

26. Study of the interaction between the microbiome and the immune system in autoimmune disorders. 

27. Exploring the microbiota composition and its association with mental health disorders. 

28. Investigating the role of viral infections in the development of cancer. 

29. Evaluation of the efficacy of antimicrobial coatings in preventing healthcare-associated infections. 

30. Study of the genetic basis of virulence in bacterial pathogens. 

31. Analysis of the impact of antimicrobial stewardship programs on antibiotic resistance patterns. 

32. Investigation of the microbial diversity in respiratory tract infections. 

33. Understanding the role of the microbiome in inflammatory bowel diseases. 

Remember to choose a topic that aligns with your interests and research goals. These topics offer a range of exciting avenues for exploration in the field of medical microbiology.

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Project Planning and Execution 

Once you have chosen a project topic , it is essential to plan and execute your research effectively. 

This involves setting clear objectives and goals, designing appropriate experiments and protocols, and considering ethical aspects. Collaborating with experts in the field can enhance the quality and impact of your research. 

Data Interpretation and Analysis 

After collecting data, it is crucial to analyze and interpret the findings accurately. Statistical analysis and data visualization techniques can help identify trends, patterns, and statistical significance. 

Ensuring the validity and reliability of your results is essential for drawing meaningful conclusions. 

Discussion and Conclusion 

In the discussion section, interpret the significance of your research findings in the context of existing literature. 

Compare and contrast your results with previous studies, highlight limitations, and propose future directions. 

Conclude your project by summarizing key findings, emphasizing their implications, and discussing potential applications in medical microbiology. 

How do I choose the right medical microbiology project topic? 

To choose the right project topic, consider your interests, relevance to the field, and potential impact. Research current trends and gaps in medical microbiology, consult with mentors and select a topic that aligns with your goals.

What are the ethical considerations in medical microbiology research? 

Ethical considerations include obtaining informed consent, ensuring patient confidentiality, following ethical guidelines and regulations, and conducting research with integrity and transparency. 

How can I ensure the validity of my research findings? 

To ensure validity, employ rigorous experimental design, use appropriate controls, validate methods, replicate experiments, analyze data critically, and consider potential biases and confounding factors. 

Can I collaborate with other researchers on my project? 

Collaboration with other researchers is encouraged as it brings diverse expertise, resources, and perspectives to your project. Collaborative efforts can enhance the quality and impact of your research. 

How can I present my project findings effectively? 

To present your project findings effectively, prepare clear and concise visual aids, practice your presentation, engage with your audience, and highlight the significance and implications of your research. 

Conducting a medical microbiology project provides an opportunity to contribute to scientific knowledge and make a positive impact in the field of healthcare. 

By selecting a compelling topic, planning your research, analyzing data diligently, and engaging in meaningful discussions, you can successfully execute a project that advances our understanding of infectious diseases and leads to improved patient outcomes. 

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research proposal microbiology

Proposal structure

Fungal colonies on PDA

Research Proposal Structure

research proposal microbiology

  • What is a research proposal?

It is a document presented by the student/researcher to the supervisor/committee to convince them that your research is worth doing.

  • Then how can I convince them?

Show them in an organized way that your research proposal would provide vital information, solve a problem, clarify an issue or explain a phenomenon.

  • Is there a format that I should follow to write my proposal?

Yes, A research proposal should contain the following elements:

  • List of content
  • Chapter 1: Introduction
  • 1.1 Overview
  • 1.2 Objectives
  • 1.3 Significance
  • Chapter 2: Literature Review
  • Chapter 3: Proposed Methodology
  • Estimated cost
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Six Key Topics in Microbiology: 2024

This collection from the FEMS journals presents the latest high-quality research in six key topic areas of microbiology that have an impact across the world. All of the FEMS journals aim to serve the microbiology community with timely and authoritative research and reviews, and by investing back into the science community . 

Interested in publishing your research relevant to the six key microbiology topics?

Learn more about why the FEMS journals are the perfect home for your microbiology research.  

Browse the collection categories: 

Antimicrobial resistance, environmental microbiology, pathogenicity and virulence, biotechnology and synthetic biology, microbiomes, food microbiology.

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As of January 2024, FEMS has flipped four of its journals to fully open access (OA), making six out of its seven journals OA. FEMS Microbiology Letters remains a subscription journal and free to publish in. 

We are excited to be making high quality science freely available to anyone to read anywhere in the world and further supporting the advancement of our discipline. 

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100+ Microbiology Project Topics [Updated]

microbiology project topics

Microbiology, the study of microorganisms, holds immense importance in the realms of medicine, agriculture, industry, and environmental science. It’s a field teeming with opportunities for exploration and discovery. For students passionate about unraveling the mysteries of the microbial world, engaging in microbiology projects is not just educational but also immensely rewarding.

In this blog, we aim to provide a comprehensive guide to over 100 updated microbiology project topics across various sub-disciplines. Whether you’re a student seeking inspiration for your next research endeavor or an educator looking to expand your list of project ideas, this resource is tailored to meet your needs.

Choosing a Microbiology Project Topic

Table of Contents

Selecting the right project topic is crucial for the success and fulfillment of your research journey. Here are some key considerations to keep in mind:

  • Personal Interest and Career Goals: Opt for a topic that aligns with your interests and long-term career aspirations. Whether it’s bacterial pathogenesis, virology, immunology, environmental microbiology, food microbiology, or clinical microbiology, choose a subject that excites you.
  • Relevance to Current Trends: Stay abreast of the latest advancements and trends in microbiology. Topics related to emerging infectious diseases, antibiotic resistance, microbiome research, and biotechnological applications are particularly timely and impactful.
  • Resource Availability and Feasibility: Assess the availability of laboratory resources, equipment, and expertise required for your chosen project. Ensure that your topic is feasible within the constraints of your academic or research environment.

100+ Microbiology Project Topics

Now, let’s delve into our curated list of microbiology project topics across various sub-disciplines:

Bacterial Microbiology

  • Role of quorum sensing in bacterial biofilm formation.
  • Antibiotic resistance mechanisms in clinically relevant bacterial strains.
  • Bacteriophages as alternative therapeutics for antibiotic-resistant infections.
  • Molecular mechanisms of bacterial pathogenicity using model organisms.
  • Genetic diversity and evolution of influenza viruses for vaccine development.
  • Host-virus interactions underlying viral replication and pathogenesis.
  • Metagenomic profiling of viral communities to identify novel pathogens.
  • Screening natural products for antiviral activity against emerging diseases.
  • Efficacy of novel vaccine formulations in eliciting immune responses.
  • Immunomodulatory effects of probiotics on mucosal immunity and gut health.
  • Dysregulated immune responses in autoimmune disorders.
  • Host immune evasion strategies in persistent viral infections.

Environmental Microbiology

  • Microbial diversity in hydrothermal vent ecosystems using next-generation sequencing.
  • Biodegradation of environmental pollutants by microbial consortia.
  • Extremophilic microorganisms adapted to harsh environmental conditions.
  • Role of soil microbiota in plant growth promotion and biocontrol.

Food Microbiology

  • Microbial contamination in food processing facilities and sanitation practices.
  • Identification and characterization of foodborne pathogens.
  • Spoilage mechanisms of food products and strategies for shelf life extension.
  • Safety and efficacy of probiotic supplements in fermented foods.

Clinical Microbiology

  • Molecular epidemiology of healthcare-associated infections using whole-genome sequencing.
  • Mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance in clinically important pathogens.
  • Human microbiome profiling in health and disease states using metagenomics.
  • Rapid diagnostic tests for infectious diseases in clinical settings.

Miscellaneous Topics

  • Microbial ecology of the human gut microbiota.
  • Role of microbiota in neurodevelopmental disorders like autism.
  • Microbiological aspects of bioremediation in environmental cleanup efforts.
  • Microbial production of biofuels and bioplastics.
  • Application of CRISPR-Cas technology in microbial genome editing.
  • Microbial production of enzymes for industrial processes.
  • Microbial synthesis of novel antimicrobial compounds.
  • Microbial fermentation processes for food and beverage production.
  • Bioinformatics analysis of microbial genomes and metagenomes.
  • Microbial ecology of extreme environments, such as deep-sea hydrothermal vents.
  • Microbiological aspects of the human skin microbiome and its implications for health.
  • Microbial diversity and ecosystem functions in freshwater and marine environments.
  • Microbial interactions in symbiotic relationships with plants and animals.
  • Microbial biogeochemical cycling of elements in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.
  • Microbial diversity and community composition in urban environments.
  • Microbial ecology of infectious diseases in wildlife populations.
  • Microbial contributions to nutrient cycling and soil fertility in agricultural systems.
  • Microbial contamination of water sources and strategies for water quality management.
  • Microbial degradation of pollutants in soil and water environments.
  • Microbial diversity and biotechnological potential of hot springs and thermal vents.
  • Microbial ecology of the built environment, including hospitals and households.
  • Microbial interactions in the rhizosphere and their effects on plant health and productivity.
  • Microbial diversity and function in extreme environments, such as polar regions and deserts.
  • Microbial ecology of air quality, including indoor and outdoor microbial communities.
  • Microbial contributions to biogeochemical cycling in aquatic ecosystems, such as lakes and oceans.
  • Microbial roles in the decomposition of organic matter and nutrient cycling in forest ecosystems.
  • Microbial diversity and community dynamics in mangrove ecosystems and their ecological functions.
  • Microbial contributions to the degradation of pollutants and xenobiotics in contaminated environments.
  • Microbial interactions with pollutants and their role in environmental remediation strategies.
  • Microbial diversity and function in hydrothermal vent ecosystems and their biogeochemical significance.
  • Microbial diversity and community composition in permafrost environments and their response to climate change.
  • Microbial ecology of extremophiles and their adaptations to extreme environmental conditions.
  • Microbial diversity and function in deep-sea environments, including the deep ocean and hydrothermal vents.
  • Microbial contributions to the biogeochemistry of carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur cycling in marine ecosystems.
  • Microbial interactions with marine organisms and their role in marine food webs and ecosystem dynamics.
  • Microbial diversity and function in coral reef ecosystems and their response to environmental stressors.
  • Microbial contributions to the cycling of nutrients and organic matter in coastal ecosystems and estuaries.
  • Microbial diversity and community composition in Arctic and Antarctic environments and their response to climate change.
  • Microbial interactions with marine pollutants and their role in the degradation and detoxification of contaminants.
  • Microbial diversity and function in marine sediments and their role in biogeochemical cycling and ecosystem functioning.
  • Microbial ecology of deep-sea hydrothermal vents and cold seeps and their contributions to global biogeochemical cycles.
  • Microbial diversity and community dynamics in oceanic oxygen minimum zones and their implications for carbon and nitrogen cycling.
  • Microbial interactions with marine organisms and their role in shaping marine biodiversity and ecosystem structure.
  • Microbial contributions to the cycling of nutrients and energy in marine ecosystems, including primary production and decomposition processes.
  • Microbial diversity and function in marine plankton communities and their role in biogeochemical cycling and ecosystem productivity.
  • Microbial ecology of marine symbioses, including mutualistic, commensal, and parasitic relationships between microbes and marine organisms.
  • Microbial interactions with marine pollutants and their role in the biodegradation and detoxification of contaminants in marine environments.
  • Microbial diversity and community composition in marine sediments and their role in biogeochemical cycling, nutrient regeneration, and sediment stability.
  • Microbial contributions to the cycling of nutrients and energy in coastal ecosystems, including estuaries, salt marshes, and mangrove forests.
  • Microbial diversity and function in coastal sediments and their role in biogeochemical cycling, organic matter degradation, and nutrient fluxes.
  • Microbial ecology of marine viruses and their role in shaping microbial communities, nutrient cycling, and ecosystem dynamics in marine environments.
  • Microbial diversity and community composition in marine snow aggregates and their role in transporting carbon, nutrients, and microbes in the ocean.
  • Microbial interactions with marine organisms and their role in mediating host-microbe interactions, disease dynamics, and ecosystem functioning.
  • Microbial contributions to the cycling of carbon and sulfur in marine sediments, including the role of anaerobic microbial processes in sedimentary environments.
  • Microbial diversity and function in marine hydrothermal vent ecosystems and their role in chemosynthetic primary production, mineral precipitation, and ecosystem sustainability.
  • Microbial ecology of marine deep-sea ecosystems, including abyssal plains, trenches, and seamounts, and their role in global biogeochemical cycles and biodiversity.
  • Microbial diversity and community composition in marine sponge microbiomes and their role in nutrient cycling, secondary metabolite production, and host-microbe interactions.
  • Microbial interactions with marine pollutants and their role in the bioremediation of oil spills, heavy metal contamination, and other anthropogenic pollutants in marine environments.
  • Microbial contributions to the cycling of nutrients and energy in deep-sea ecosystems, including the role of chemosynthetic microbes in supporting deep-sea food webs and ecosystem functioning.
  • Microbial diversity and function in marine coral reef ecosystems and their role in reef health, resilience, and recovery from environmental stressors such as climate change, pollution, and disease.
  • Microbial ecology of marine plastic pollution and its impact on marine ecosystems, including microbial degradation of plastic polymers, biofilm formation on microplastic surfaces, and microbial interactions with plastic-associated pollutants.
  • Microbial diversity and community composition in marine coastal habitats, including rocky shores, sandy beaches, and tidal pools, and their role in coastal ecosystem processes, biodiversity, and ecosystem services.
  • Microbial interactions with marine organisms and their role in mediating host-microbe interactions, disease dynamics, and ecosystem functioning in marine ecosystems, including coral reefs, kelp forests, and seagrass meadows.
  • Microbial contributions to the cycling of nutrients and energy in marine ecosystems, including the role of microbial processes in carbon sequestration, nitrogen fixation, and nutrient regeneration in the oceanic food web.
  • Microbial diversity and function in marine pelagic ecosystems, including the open ocean, coastal upwelling zones, and polar seas, and their role in primary production, nutrient cycling, and global climate regulation.
  • Microbial ecology of marine biofilms and their role in ecosystem processes, including biofouling, biocorrosion, and nutrient cycling in marine environments, such as ship hulls, oil platforms, and marine infrastructure.
  • Microbial diversity and community composition in marine benthic habitats, including deep-sea sediments, hydrothermal vents, and cold seeps, and their role in biogeochemical cycling, energy flow, and ecosystem stability.
  • Microbial interactions with marine pollutants and their role in the biodegradation, detoxification, and bioaccumulation of contaminants in marine ecosystems, including oil spills, heavy metals, plastics, and agricultural runoff.
  • Microbial contributions to the cycling of nutrients and energy in marine ecosystems, including the role of microbial processes in carbon fixation, nitrogen cycling, and sulfur metabolism in marine food webs and biogeochemical cycles.
  • Microbial diversity and function in marine deep-sea ecosystems, including abyssal plains, trenches, and seamounts, and their role in global biogeochemical cycles, biodiversity, and ecosystem functioning.
  • Microbial ecology of marine sponge microbiomes and their role in nutrient cycling, secondary metabolite production, and host-microbe interactions in marine ecosystems, including coral reefs, mangrove forests, and seagrass meadows.
  • Microbial interactions with marine pollutants and their role in the bioremediation of oil spills, heavy metal contamination, and other anthropogenic pollutants in marine environments, including coastal waters, estuaries, and marine sediments.
  • Microbial contributions to the cycling of nutrients and energy in deep-sea ecosystems, including the role of chemosynthetic microbes in supporting deep-sea food webs, hydrothermal vent communities, and cold seep ecosystems.
  • Microbial diversity and function in marine pelagic ecosystems , including the open ocean, coastal upwelling zones, and polar seas, and their role in primary production, nutrient cycling, and global climate regulation in the marine biosphere.
  • Microbial diversity and community composition in marine benthic habitats, including deep-sea sediments, hydrothermal vents, and cold seeps, and their role in biogeochemical cycling, energy flow, and ecosystem stability in the deep sea.
  • Microbial interactions with marine pollutants and their role in the biodegradation, detoxification, and bioaccumulation of contaminants in marine ecosystems, including oil spills, heavy metals, plastics, and agricultural runoff in coastal and oceanic environments.

Tips for Successful Microbiology Projects

Embarking on a microbiology project can be both exhilarating and challenging. Here are some tips to help you navigate the research process with confidence:

  • Planning and Organization: Start with a clear research question and outline a detailed project plan with achievable milestones.
  • Literature Review: Thoroughly review existing literature to build a solid theoretical framework for your research.
  • Laboratory Techniques and Safety: Adhere to best practices for experimental design, data collection, and laboratory safety protocols.
  • Data Analysis and Interpretation: Utilize appropriate statistical methods and data visualization tools to analyze your results effectively.
  • Effective Communication: Prepare concise and compelling presentations or manuscripts to communicate your findings to peers and stakeholders.

In conclusion, microbiology offers a vast playground for exploration and innovation. By choosing the right project topic and following sound research principles, you can make meaningful contributions to our understanding of the microbial universe.

We hope this curated list of microbiology project topics serves as a valuable resource for students and educators alike, inspiring the next generation of microbial enthusiasts to embark on their research journeys. Happy exploring!

Feel free to share your thoughts, feedback, or additional project ideas in the comments section below. Together, let’s continue unraveling the mysteries of microbiology!

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71+ Top Microbiology Research Project Ideas [2024 Updated]

microbiology-research-project-ideas

  • Post author By Ankit
  • February 3, 2024

In the tiny world of microbiology, we check out tiny things like bacteria, viruses, fungi, and little animals. It helps us learn the basics of life.

Even though these tiny guys are too small to see, they’re crucial. They affect everything from how nature works to our health and what we use daily. Microbiology connects the big things we can see with the tiny things we can’t.

This blog shares exciting microbiology research project ideas. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a student, researcher, or just curious; we want to help you explore fun and new projects in this cool science. Get ready to find the great ideas that could shape the future of microbiology research.

Also Read: 70+ Advanced Higher Biology Project Ideas: Dive into Discovery

Table of Contents

What Is Microbiology In Simple Words?

The field of microbiology focuses on studying microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa. Its inquiries investigate their genetic compositions, structure, activities and relationship with the surroundings. 

Microbiology’s uses are in medicine, agriculture and industry, among others. For instance, microbial infections and microbiota have effects on human health. Through technological advances, microscopic life has become better understood, influencing several scientific disciplines and practical applications.

Great Microbiology Research Project Ideas 

Here are the great microbiology research project ideas for 2024.

Antibiotic Resistance

  • Why don’t some germs listen to medicine?
  • Can we find new ways to fight germs that don’t listen to medicine?
  • What makes germs say “no” to medicine?
  • Is there a link between medicine for animals and germs saying “no” to medicine in people?
  • Can we make medicine to which germs can’t easily say “no”?
  • How do different places make germs say “no” to medicine?
  • Can natural things help germs stop saying “no” to medicine?
  • How does using medicine in farming affect saying “no” to medicine in people?
  • Can using many medicines together be better at stopping saying “no” to medicine?
  • What is the slimy stuff germs make, and how does it stop medicine?
  • How can we teach people to use less medicine when they don’t need it?
  • Can we use tiny bugs that eat germs instead of medicine?
  • What happens to germs in the world around us?

Microbial Diversity

  • Where do tiny bugs love to live in really hot or cold places?
  • Do tiny bugs in our belly affect how we feel?
  • What tiny bugs live in different bugs and animals?
  • Can we find new tiny bugs in places nobody has checked before?
  • How do tiny bugs change when dirt or bad stuff is in the air?
  • What tiny bugs are in the air we breathe?
  • How do tiny bugs help the dirt in our yards?
  • Can tiny bugs clean up dirty water?
  • What tiny bugs live in puddles and lakes?
  • Are there special tiny bug groups in different animals?
  • How do people changing things around them affect tiny bugs?
  • What helps tiny bugs break down old things?
  • How do tiny bugs live in ponds?

Food Microbiology

  • How do different ways of keeping food from going bad affect tiny bugs?
  • Can we use natural things to keep food safe instead of artificial stuff?
  • How safe is raw or cooked food from tiny bugs?
  • How do tiny bugs in milk and cheese affect their taste?
  • Can tiny bugs help food stay good for a longer time?
  • What tiny bugs make our food taste different?
  • How can we ensure that street food is safe in different places?
  • What bugs make food go bad, and how can we stop them?
  • Can we find bad bugs in food quickly?
  • How does cooking food in different ways change the tiny bugs in it?
  • What changes when we process food, and how does it taste?
  • Can we add tiny bugs to food to improve it?
  • How does dirty water affect food safety in farms?

Medical Microbiology

  • How do tiny bugs make people feel sick?
  • Can we make something to stop us from getting sick from tiny bugs?
  • What helps our body fight against sickness?
  • How does medicine change tiny bugs living in our bodies?
  • Can we find new tiny bugs that make people sick?
  • How do tiny bugs spread sickness in hospitals?
  • How do tiny bugs learn to avoid our body’s defenses?
  • Can we make personalized medicine based on our tiny bug friends?
  • What happens when tiny bugs cause diseases like cancer?
  • How can we keep track of sickness around the world better?
  • Can tiny bugs be made to carry medicine to where it’s needed?
  • What tiny bugs help our body fight against sickness?
  • How can surveillance and monitoring of infectious diseases be improved worldwide?

Environmental Microbiology

  • How do tiny bugs help the soil become good for plants?
  • Can tiny bugs assist in cleaning up after an oil spill?
  • What do tiny bugs do to help plants grow in the ground?
  • How does urbanization affect the composition of tiny bugs in soil and water?
  • Can tiny bugs be used to clean up dirty water?
  • Which tiny bugs break down plastic in the environment?
  • How do human activities impact the variety of tiny bugs in the soil?
  • Can tiny bugs make farming better for the environment?
  • What tiny bugs help rot old things in the forest?
  • How does climate change influence the composition of tiny bugs in polar regions?
  • Can tiny bugs be used to assess water quality in natural ecosystems?
  • How does air pollution affect the variety of tiny bugs in urban areas?
  • How do tiny bug communities differ at various ocean depths?

Microbial Biotechnology

  • Can tiny bugs help generate power from plants?
  • How can tiny bugs be used in big factories?
  • What discoveries can we make by studying tiny bugs?
  • Can tiny bugs turn waste into valuable products?
  • How do tiny bugs contribute to the production of bio-based materials?
  • How can tiny bugs help farming improve the environment?
  • Can tiny bugs enhance the efficiency of wastewater treatment plants?
  • How can we optimize microbial fermentation for biofuel production?
  • What roles do tiny bugs play in the degradation of pollutants?
  • Can tiny bugs be employed to enhance the nutritional content of crops?
  • How can microbial technologies contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions?
  • What roles do tiny bugs play in the biodegradation of plastics?
  • Can we develop tiny bug-based sensors for environmental monitoring?
  • How can tiny bug communities be utilized to restore degraded ecosystems?
  • Can tiny bugs be engineered to improve nutrient cycling efficiency in agriculture?

Hence, these are some of the best microbiology research project ideas.

Microbiology Research Project Ideas For College Students

Here are the microbiology research project ideas for college students.

1. Belly Bugs Investigation

Analyze how tiny stomach creatures affect digestion and health.

2. Germ-Fighting Items

Test everyday things like garlic, honey, or vinegar for their ability to fight germs.

3. Water Creatures Exploration

Check the water from different places (taps, lakes, rivers) to find the tiny creatures present and assess water quality.

4. Mushrooms and Oil Spills

Examine how certain mushrooms can break down oil, potentially aiding in cleaning up spills.

5. Hand Sanitizer Effectiveness

Test different hand sanitizers to determine which ones are most effective in killing germs.

6. Tiny Creatures in Homes

Probe tiny creatures in various indoor environments to understand their variation and potential impact on health.

7. Fermented Foods and Belly Health

Explore how foods like yogurt, kimchi, or sauerkraut positively impact belly health.

8. Microbe Art Creation

Create art using tiny living things like bacteria to produce colorful and unique images.

9. Chocolate-Making and Tiny Bugs

Study how tiny bugs contribute to making chocolate taste good during the production process.

10. Life in Extreme Places

Explore tiny bugs in challenging environments such as hot springs, cold deserts, or deep-sea vents to understand survival in harsh conditions.

Tips For Choosing Microbiology Research Project Ideas

Here are the common tips for choosing microbiology research project ideas.

  • Consider Your Interests

Choose a topic you’re genuinely curious about and eager to explore further. This will help sustain your motivation.

  • Identify Knowledge Gaps

Look for unanswered questions or areas needing more research to advance understanding. Your project can help fill these gaps.

  • Feasibility

Ensure the project is realistic within limited timeframes and resources. It is wise to avoid overambitious scopes. Consider access to required equipment, samples, and funds.

  • Skill Development

Pick research that aligns with your current microbiology knowledge but will also expand your lab methods and critical thinking.

  • Originality

Find a unique niche or perspective so your research is novel and not repetitive. But first, review existing literature on your topic.

  • Real-World Relevance

Consider likely applications of your research findings to medicine, industry, environment etc.

  • Collaboration Options

Brainstorm and get feedback from instructors, colleagues etc. Collaborating can enhance scope and success.

Define a focused, manageable research question and methodology. Don’t be too broad or narrow in scope.

  • Excitement Factor

Choose a topic that intellectually stimulates you. Your spirit will fuel the research cycle.

  • Flexibility

Be open to modifying or changing your initial ideas as you dive deeper into background research.

By following the above tips, you can easily choose the perfect tips to select microbiology research project ideas for you.

Benefits Of Microbiology Research Project Ideas For Students

Check out the top benefits of microbiology research project ideas.

1. Learn About Tiny Living Things

Microbiology research lets you explore the small world of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other germs. You can check their shape, growth, genetics, and relations.

2. Use The Scientific Process

This research involves asking queries, making guesses, running tests, collecting data, and drawing conclusions. This leads you to how science works.

3. Develop Lab Skills

You’ll learn to use lab tools like microscopes, petri dishes, incubators, and more. You’ll also learn clean methods to avoid contaminating cultures.

4. Add To Knowledge

Your original research, even as a student, can add new information to microbiology. This grows scientific learning.

5. Solve Real-World Problems

Research on germs can offer solutions to health, farming, industrial, and environmental issues that affect people’s lives.

6. Study What Interests You

Research lets you explore topics that fascinate you, from germs in extreme environments to how germs make people sick.

7. Prepare For A Job

Live microbiology research experience can provide job options in medicine, biotechnology, food science, and other fields.

8. Work With Others

You can unite with professors, graduate students, or classmates to conduct group research projects.

9. Learn From Mistakes

Experiments don’t always work as planned. However, negative results still provide helpful learning.

10. Share Findings

Presenting research teaches communication skills. And your discoveries can help others when published or shared at science fairs.

The list doesn’t end here. Microbiology Research Project Ideas have many benefits that you cannot even think of.

From the blog, it is clear that studying tiny living things offers many exciting research methods. Studying how they become resistant to antibiotics and their communities or making new, helpful tiny living things can help us understand how they affect human health. 

Looking into how they get energy and their genes can find new uses in technology. However, analyzing how they interact with their environment helps manage the environment.

Researching tiny living things contributes to many areas, from medicine to farming to technology. 

With creative thinking and careful methods, a project on tiny living things can make discoveries that benefit society and expand scientific knowledge. Pick an exciting idea, and let your curiosity guide your exploration of the microscopic world.

How can I ensure my microbiology research is done right and doesn’t cause any problems?

Ethics are super important in research. Find out the basic rules and tips to make sure your microbiology project is done honestly and with respect for everyone involved.

How can my microbiology research help in the real world?

See how your research can make a difference outside the lab. Check out the practical uses of microbiology and ways your project can be helpful in everyday life, not just academics.

Why is working together with other scientists important for my microbiology research?

Teamwork matters a lot in science. Learn about the good things when you collaborate with other researchers and pros. It can make your microbiology project better and cover more ground.

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Microbiology Research Proposal

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2021, Assessment of Microbial Contamination on a used and disposed facemask.

Micro-organisms are ubiquitous and are found in almost every area around human bodies. Some are specifically found in certain regions of the body as a normal flora where they live as commensals with man. This association is important in protecting the body against other infectious diseases. Each area of the body surface acquires a characteristic flora of organisms well adapted to growth at that particular environment. These residents (normal flora) tend to suppress the intruders either by competition for space and food supply or by production of metabolites that are antagonistic to the survival of the intruder. These residents could be dislodged from their environment when sneezing, coughing, belching, yawning or could be destroyed by regular use of antiseptic soaps or creams on the body surfaces. Facemasks commonly used to prevent infectious diseases from airborne pathogens, therefore constitute an abode for bacteria. Furthermore, bacteria found in Facemasks could differ from one individual to another as the bacteria found could be a reflective of the environment and pathological conditions of the individual using the facemask.For instance, individual with upper respiratory tract infection are likely to dislodge strains of pathogenic microbes along sides with the normal flora in these regions. Enumeration of bacteria on used facemasks can be done using microscopic cell count and viable cell counting. Microscopic counts can be done on either samples dried on slides or samples in liquid. A viable cell counting is the one that is able to divide and form offspring. Viable cell counting is also called plate count and there are at least two ways of performing plate count: the spread plate and pour plate method. In spread plate method, a volume of appropriately diluted culture is spread over the surface of an agar plate using a sterile glass spreader. The plate is then incubated until colonies appear, and the number of colonies formed are counted.

Related Papers

research proposal microbiology

manoj vasaikar

Linda Iipinge

Lim Cheng Yee

Abdul Mohd Saufian

Microorganisms exist in a large and mixed population and therefore isolation of microorganisms to pure cultures will be the initial step in the study of the characteristics and potential of microorganisms. In nature, microbial populations do not segregate themselves by species but exist with a mixture of many other cell types. In the laboratory, these populations can be separated into pure cultures. These cultures contain only one type of organism and are suitable for the study of their cultural, morphological, and biochemical properties. In this experiment, you will first use one of the techniques designed to produce discrete colonies. Colonies are individual, macroscopically visible masses of microbial growth on a solid medium surface, each representing the multiplication of a single organism. Once you have obtained these discrete colonies, you will make an aseptic transfer onto nutrient agar slants for the isolation of pure cultures. Streak Plate : Isolation of Discrete Colonies from a Mixed Culture PRINCIPLE: The techniques commonly used for isolation of discrete colonies initially require that the number of organisms in the inoculum be reduced. The resulting diminution of the population size ensures that, following inoculation, individual cells will be sufficiently far apart on the surface of the agar medium to effect a separation of the different species present. The following are techniques that can be used to accomplish this necessary dilution: 1. The streak-plate method is a rapid qualitative isolation method. It is essentially a dilution technique that involves spreading a loopful of culture over the surface of an agar plate.

Elisa Lapadula

Lola Hogekamp

Alemayehu Choramo

In this practical laboratory works, three points were focused. These are: Anti-microbial susceptibility test, colony counting, and motility test. Each points discussed in detail as follows. Anti-microbial susceptibility test performed by using disc diffusion method to determine susceptibility of salmonella .In this test, kanamycin formed 24.26 mm ,ciprofloxacin formed 34.23 mm, and chloramphenicol formed 28.46 mmzone of inhibition, while sulphonamides formed no zone of inhibition. Colony counting was done by plate count method. Two medias were used. On VRB (violet red blue agar) media, with dilution of 10-2 was CFU/ml=3.5*103, with dilution of 10-3, CFU/ml=4.1*104 and with dilution of 10-4, CFU=1.5*105. But in this case also it is reported as "TFTC= too few to count". While on PCA (plate count agar) media, with dilution of 10-3 colony counted was 100, and CFU/ml=1.00*105,with dilution of 10-4 colony counted was 171, and CFU/ml=1.71*106 , with dilution of 10-5colony counted was 58, and CFU/ ml=5.8*106,with dilution of 10-6colony counted was 19, and CFU/ml=1.9*107,but in this case it is reported as "TFTC= to few to count". On the other hand, motility test was done in SIM (sulphure-indole-motility) and results obtained were: Staphylococcus aureus was non-motile; grow only on the line of stab, Escherichia. Coli spp. were motile, grow and move throughout the medium and Salmonella was both motile and produced gas.

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  • Published: 30 July 2015

The vocabulary of microbiome research: a proposal

  • Julian R. Marchesi 1 , 2 &
  • Jacques Ravel 3 , 4  

Microbiome volume  3 , Article number:  31 ( 2015 ) Cite this article

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The advancement of DNA/RNA, proteins, and metabolite analytical platforms, combined with increased computing technologies, has transformed the field of microbial community analysis. This transformation is evident by the exponential increase in the number of publications describing the composition and structure, and sometimes function, of the microbial communities inhabiting the human body. This rapid evolution of the field has been accompanied by confusion in the vocabulary used to describe different aspects of these communities and their environments. The misuse of terms such as microbiome, microbiota, metabolomic, and metagenome and metagenomics among others has contributed to misunderstanding of many study results by the scientific community and the general public alike. A few review articles have previously defined those terms, but mainly as sidebars, and no clear definitions or use cases have been published. In this editorial, we aim to propose clear definitions of each of these terms, which we would implore scientists in the field to adopt and perfect.

The assemblage of microorganisms present in a defined environment. The term microbiota was first defined by Lederberg and McCray [ 1 ] who emphasized the importance of microorganisms inhabiting the human body in health and disease. This microbial census is established using molecular methods relying predominantly on the analysis of 16S rRNA genes, 18S rRNA genes, or other marker genes and genomic regions, amplified and sequenced from given biological samples. Taxonomic assignments are performed using a variety of tools that assign each sequence to a microbial taxon (bacteria, archaea, or lower eukaryotes) at different taxonomic levels from phylum to species.

Metataxonomics

Metataxonomics is a term we propose and define as the high-throughput process used to characterize the entire microbiota and create a metataxonomic tree, which shows the relationships between all sequences obtained. While viruses are an integral part of the microbiota, no universal viral marker genes are available to perform such taxonomic assignments.

The collection of genomes and genes from the members of a microbiota. This collection is obtained through shotgun sequencing of DNA extracted from a sample (metagenomics) followed by assembly or mapping to a reference database followed by annotation. Metataxonomic analysis, because it relies on the amplification and sequencing of taxonomic marker genes, is not metagenomics. Metagenomics is the process used to characterize the metagenome, from which information on the potential function of the microbiota can be gained.

Metagenomics was first used by Handelsman et al. [ 2 ]; however, it was in the context of what the authors called functional metagenomics, an approach where random fragments of environmental DNA are cloned into a suitable vector for maintenance in a surrogate host for functional screening, looking for gain of function in the surrogate host.

This term refers to the entire habitat, including the microorganisms (bacteria, archaea, lower and higher eurkaryotes, and viruses), their genomes (i.e., genes), and the surrounding environmental conditions. This definition is based on that of “biome,” the biotic and abiotic factors of given environments. Others in the field limit the definition of microbiome to the collection of genes and genomes of members of a microbiota. It is argued that this is the definition of metagenome, which combined with the environment constitutes the microbiome. The microbiome is characterized by the application of one or combinations of metagenomics, metabonomics, metatranscriptomics, and metaproteomics combined with clinical or environmental metadata.

Metabolomics

This term describes the analytical approaches used to determine the metabolite profile(s) in any given strain or single tissue. The resulting census of all metabolites present in any given strain or single tissue is called the metabolome . Most commonly used platforms to characterize the metabolome include nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and mass spectrometry (MS) linked to a liquid chromatography separation system.

Metabonomics

The term is a variant of the metabolomic approach; however, it describes the approach used to generate a metabolite profile(s) from complex systems, e.g., mammals in which more than one strain or tissue has contributed to the total metabolite pool, for example, fecal water, urine, or plasma. This term avoids the clumsy use of meta-metabolomics and was first defined by Jeremy Nicholson [ 3 ].

Metatranscriptomics

This term refers to the analysis of the suite of expressed RNAs (meta-RNAs) by high-throughput sequencing of the corresponding meta-cDNAs. This approach provides information on the regulation and expression profiles of complex microbiomes.

Metaproteomics

First coined by Rodriguez-Valera [ 4 ] and refined by Wilmes and Bond [ 5 ], this term refers to the large-scale characterization of the entire protein complement of environmental or clinical samples at a given point in time. The method indiscriminately identifies proteins from the microbiota and the host/environments (metagenome). Computational analyses afford assignments of these proteins to their biological origins. It is often performed using liquid-chromatography-based separation coupled to mass spectrometry for peptide identification.

Misnomers and correct usage of the terms

Misnomers are often found in studies discussing metataxonomic analyses relying on sequencing and analysis of 16S rRNA genes. In the literature, one can find the use of “16S survey,” “16S sequencing,” or “16S analysis,” for example. There is no such thing as “16S.” The “S” in 16S is a non-SI unit for sedimentation rate and stands for the Svedberg unit. The Svedberg unit offers a measure of particle size based on its rate of travel in a tube subjected to high g force. The small subunits of the bacterial and archaeal ribosomes are 30S and comprise one structural 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA, ~1540 nucleotides) bound to 21 proteins. Thus, we would like to argue that the proper terms should be “16S rRNA genes” or “16S rRNA gene sequencing/analysis.”

Additionally, the word microflora has been used for a long time in the scientific and medical literature. However, its definition does not justify its use to describe microbial communities associated with human (i.e., microbiota). Its definition has evolved over time, but remains “microscopic plants, or the plants or flora of a microhabitat.” The origin of the definition dates back to the early 1900s. Furthermore, the definition of the word “flora” further highlights the inappropriateness of the word microflora in the microbiome scientific literature: “the plants of a particular region or period, listed by species and considered as a whole” or “a work systematically describing plants” or “plants, as distinguished from fauna.” The definition of flora dates back to mid 1600s and has its origin in the Latin name “Flora,” the Roman goddess of flowers and the Latin word “flor,” meaning flower. These definitions and their origins make it obvious that “microflora” refers to plants and not microbes. While some dictionaries are now including a third definition for microflora, “the aggregate of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms normally occurring on or in the bodies of humans and other animals: intestinal flora,” these newly added definitions are the results of over one century of misuse of the word, driven by a limited understanding of the microbes associated with humans. Our knowledge of microbial communities is such that the scientific community should not continue to use the word in the scientific literature. It is time to change, and we suggest that to describe the assemblage of microbes living in a microhabitat we use “microbiota.” Interestingly, microflora is almost exclusively used in the literature referring to microbial community associated with human or animal, but rarely in those associated with the environment. We believe that microflora has still its place in the popular literature or in a yogurt/probiotic advertisement destined to the general public, but it does not in the scientific and medical literature.

The public, the scientific popular press, medical doctors, and other scientists need to be educated, but this will come if the scientific community adopts a common language. The word microbiota is adequate and appropriate to describe the composition and abundance of microbial communities whether they inhabit the human body or the environment.

This editorial was informed from papers and other communications we have had with colleagues. We hope that a consensus use of these terms could be adopted in the near future. This editorial aims at stimulating a discussion and standardizing the vocabulary of microbiome research. Microbiome will continue to strive toward a standardization of the vocabulary used in this ever-expanding field of research.

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Cardiff School of Biosciences, Division of Microbiology, Cardiff University, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, United Kingdom

Julian R. Marchesi

Centre for Digestive and Gut Health, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, London, SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom

Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 801 West Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA

Jacques Ravel

Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 685 West Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA

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Marchesi, J.R., Ravel, J. The vocabulary of microbiome research: a proposal. Microbiome 3 , 31 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40168-015-0094-5

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DOI : https://doi.org/10.1186/s40168-015-0094-5

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Office of Research offers a wide variety of grant ready-text for shared resources and research centers.   Click here for more information. (VUnet login required)

Office of Research also dedicates a page for grant writing tools.   Check it out here .

Log in to StarBrite and you'll find pre-submission resources, grant ready text and links to other writing resources.

Grant Writing Tips from NIH

Check out NIH's powerpoint, "Grant Writing for Success."

Grant Writing tips for new investigators from NIH's office of Extramural research website:   NIH Grant Tips . 

Other tips in creating an NIH proposal can be found here: Write your  Application.        

NIAID has a "Samples and Examples" page for full applications and specific sections of the NIH application:  Samples and Examples

NIH Grant Tutorials from the U.S. National Library of Medicine:  NIH Grant Tutorials

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UniProjects Project Topics

Applied Microbiology Final Year Project Topics and Research Areas

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Applied microbiology encompasses the application of microorganisms and microbial processes to various fields, including agriculture, environmental science, food production, biotechnology, and medicine. Final year projects in applied microbiology provide students with opportunities to examine innovative research topics and contribute to advancements in the field. These projects often involve hands-on laboratory work, data analysis, and critical thinking skills. Choosing the right topic is important for the success of a final year project in applied microbiology, as it determines the direction and scope of the research.

Introduction

Final year projects in applied microbiology aim to address current challenges and examine emerging trends in the field. These projects offer students the chance to examine specialized areas of microbiology and develop practical skills that are valuable for future careers or further studies. By conducting research in applied microbiology, students can contribute to solving real-world problems and making meaningful advancements in various industries.

Table of Content

  • Importance of Studying Antimicrobial Resistance
  • Research Areas and Project Topics
  • Applications of Industrial Microbiology
  • Significance of Environmental Microbiology
  • Role of Food Microbiology in Food Safety
  • Impact of Medical Microbiology on Healthcare

1. Antimicrobial Resistance

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) refers to the ability of microorganisms to withstand the effects of antimicrobial drugs, making infections harder to treat and increasing the risk of spread. It is a growing concern globally and requires multidisciplinary approaches for effective management.

Importance of Studying Antimicrobial Resistance: Understanding the mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance and developing strategies to combat it are critical for preserving the effectiveness of antibiotics and ensuring successful treatment of infectious diseases.

Research Areas and Project Topics:

  • Mechanisms of antibiotic resistance in bacteria
  • Surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in clinical settings and the environment
  • Development of novel antimicrobial agents or alternative therapies
  • Strategies for antimicrobial stewardship and infection control

2. Industrial Microbiology

Industrial microbiology involves the use of microorganisms to produce various products on an industrial scale. This field performs an important role in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and other industries.

Applications of Industrial Microbiology: Industrial microbiology encompasses processes such as fermentation, enzyme production, bioremediation, and biofuel production, contributing to sustainable development and resource utilization.

  • Optimization of fermentation processes for bioethanol or bioproducts
  • Genetic engineering of microorganisms for enhanced product yield or quality
  • Bioremediation of pollutants using microbial consortia
  • Development of microbial biosensors for industrial applications

3. Environmental Microbiology

Environmental microbiology focuses on the interactions between microorganisms and their environment, including soil, water, air, and various ecosystems. It performs an important role in environmental sustainability and ecosystem health.

Significance of Environmental Microbiology: Environmental microbiology provides insights into nutrient cycling, pollutant degradation, climate change mitigation, and the maintenance of ecological balance.

  • Microbial diversity and community dynamics in different ecosystems
  • Biodegradation of environmental pollutants by microorganisms
  • Microbial contributions to soil fertility and plant growth promotion
  • Microbial responses to environmental stressors, such as pollution or climate change

4. Food Microbiology

Food microbiology focuses on microorganisms present in food and their impact on food safety, quality, and shelf-life. It performs an important role in ensuring the safety of food products consumed by the public.

Role of Food Microbiology in Food Safety: Food microbiology helps identify and control foodborne pathogens, prevent food spoilage, and optimize food processing and preservation techniques to maintain quality and safety standards.

  • Detection and control of foodborne pathogens in food processing facilities
  • Microbial spoilage mechanisms and preservation strategies for extending shelf-life
  • Fermentation processes in food production and their microbial dynamics
  • Microbiological risk assessment and management in the food industry

5. Medical Microbiology

Medical microbiology focuses on the study of microorganisms associated with human health and disease. It performs an important role in diagnostics, infection control, and the development of therapeutic interventions.

Impact of Medical Microbiology on Healthcare: Medical microbiology contributes to the identification and characterization of pathogens, antibiotic susceptibility testing, vaccine development, and the understanding of host-pathogen interactions.

  • Molecular epidemiology of infectious diseases and outbreak investigations
  • Mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance in clinically relevant microorganisms
  • Development of rapid diagnostic methods for infectious diseases
  • Host immune responses to microbial infections and vaccine efficacy studies

Final year projects in applied microbiology offer students the opportunity to engage in research that addresses pressing issues and contributes to scientific knowledge and technological advancements. Whether focusing on antimicrobial resistance, industrial applications, environmental interactions, food safety, or medical diagnostics, these projects provide valuable experiences and insights that prepare students for future careers in microbiology-related fields. By exploring different research areas and tackling real-world challenges, students can make meaningful contributions to the field of applied microbiology and society as a whole

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Msc by research: speeding up the plant microbiota: investigating the impact of speed breeding on host-microbe interactions in the barley rhizosphere, phd research project.

PhD Research Projects are advertised opportunities to examine a pre-defined topic or answer a stated research question. Some projects may also provide scope for you to propose your own ideas and approaches.

Self-Funded PhD Students Only

This project does not have funding attached. You will need to have your own means of paying fees and living costs and / or seek separate funding from student finance, charities or trusts.

MSc By Research: Resistance isn’t futile: Uncovering novel mechanisms of fungal drug resistance

Msc by research: research project exploiting fungal cell wall remodelling mechanisms to combat antifungal drug tolerance, msc by research: bacillus subtilis biofilm formation and environmental stress, msc by research: effect of intermicrobial interactions on swarming in pathogenic pseudomonas aeruginosa, msc by research: bacillus subtilis intraspecies interactions, msc by research: mapping the host response to fungal pathogens, investigating proinflammatory and toxicological properties of nano-microparticles (nmp) from different sources of plastic waste and environmental pollution, genome mining of novel antimicrobial natural products, discovery of novel pharmaceuticals from marine and desert microorganisms.

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Volume 74, Issue 9

Research article, proposal of paenimyroides marinum (song et al . 2013) comb. nov. to replace the illegitimate name paenimyroides aquimaris (garcía-lópez et al . 2020) zhang et al . 2023.

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  • View Affiliations Hide Affiliations Affiliations: 1​ Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan, ROC *Correspondence: Meng-Syun Li, [email protected] ; [email protected]
  • Published: 09 September 2024 https://doi.org/10.1099/ijsem.0.006522

In this article, the author addresses the issue of nomenclatural illegitimacy of Paenimyroides aquimaris (García-López et al . 2020) Zhang et al . 2023. This name was formed without re-establishment of the earlier legitimate epithet marinum and should be considered to be illegitimate according to Rule 41a. As required by Rule 54, the author proposes Paenimyroides marinum (Song et al . 2013) as a new combination to replace the illegitimate name Paenimyroides aquimaris .

  • Received: 24/03/2024
  • Accepted: 01/09/2024
  • Published Online: 09/09/2024

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  • Oren A , Arahal DR , Göker M , Moore ERB , Rossello-Mora R et al. International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes. Prokaryotic Code (2022 Revision). Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2023 ; 73: 005585 [View Article] [Google Scholar]
  • Arahal DR , Busse H-J , Bull CT , Christensen H , Chuvochina M et al. Guidelines for interpreting the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes and for preparing a Request for an Opinion. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2023 ; 73: 005782 [View Article] [Google Scholar]
  • Zhang K , Cui L , Zeng Q , Shi S , long L et al. Paenimyroides aestuarii gen. nov. sp. nov., a novel bacterium isolated from sediment in the Pearl River Estuary and reclassification of five Flavobacterium and four Myroides species. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2023 ; 73: 006091 [View Article] [Google Scholar]
  • Oren A , Göker M . Notification that new names of prokaryotes, new combinations, and new taxonomic opinions have appeared in volume 73, part 10 of the IJSEM. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2024 ; 74: 006172 [View Article] [Google Scholar]

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Publication Date: 09 Sep 2024

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COMMENTS

  1. How to Write a Microbiology Research Proposal

    A microbiology research proposal is a paper in which you choose a topic of interest and need, research it and present to a panel of reviewers as evidence of your knowledge of microbiology. This proposal is needed in completion in order to receive your graduate level degree in microbiology.

  2. A Guide to Writing Research Papers for Introductory Microbiology

    A Guide to Writing Research Papers for Introductory ...

  3. RESEARCH PROPOSAL TIPS FOR GRANTS & PROJECTS

    A research proposal is a written document that proposes a research project either in the scientific community, academic or organizational environment. After writing a research proposal, the research proposal is usually submitted to the institution, supervisor or company that is requesting for it. And after the submission and compilation of all ...

  4. The Proposal Writer's Guide

    The objectives (or aims) should focus on outcome as opposed to process. For example, the outcome of the work is " To identify the candidate allele; " while the process of getting there includes " to run several trials on samples .". There should be 2 to 4 outcome objectives per proposal.

  5. How to prepare a Research Proposal

    It puts the proposal in context. 3. The introduction typically begins with a statement of the research problem in precise and clear terms. 1. The importance of the statement of the research problem 5: The statement of the problem is the essential basis for the construction of a research proposal (research objectives, hypotheses, methodology ...

  6. MICROBIOLOGY PROJECT TOPICS

    MICROBIOLOGY PROJECT TOPICS. Below are some PROJECT TOPICS for your undergraduate and postgraduate (M.Sc. & Ph.D.) research studies. These project topics are only "suggestive in nature. This implies that they can be used as they are, or they can be modified and used as you so deem fit.

  7. 33 Microbiology Project Topics: You haven't thought of

    Presenting the Research . The final phase of the microbiology project involves presenting the research findings. This can be in the form of a comprehensive research report or an oral presentation. Creating engaging visual aids, such as charts, graphs, or diagrams, helps convey information effectively and enhances audience understanding. ...

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    100+ Microbiology Topics for Research Papers | Hot Ideas

  9. 33 New Medical microbiology project topics

    Here's a non-exhaustive list of medical microbiology project topics for undergraduates and MSc students. Topic 1: Investigating the Role of Gut Microbiota in Autoimmune Diseases. Autoimmune diseases have been linked to alterations in the gut microbiota. This project aims to explore the relationship between gut microbiota composition and the ...

  10. Medical Microbiology

    Proposal structure. What is a research proposal? It is a document presented by the student/researcher to the supervisor/committee to convince them that your research is worth doing. Then how can I convince them? Show them in an organized way that your research proposal would provide vital information, solve a problem, clarify an issue or ...

  11. Six Key Topics in Microbiology: 2024

    Six Key Topics in Microbiology: 2024 | FEMS Journals

  12. PDF Research Statement-Daniel R. Rogers

    Research Statement

  13. 100+ Microbiology Project Topics [Updated]

    Ensure that your topic is feasible within the constraints of your academic or research environment. 100+ Microbiology Project Topics. Now, let's delve into our curated list of microbiology project topics across various sub-disciplines: Bacterial Microbiology. Role of quorum sensing in bacterial biofilm formation.

  14. Frontiers in Microbiology

    Frontiers in Microbiology | Research Topics

  15. 71+ Top Microbiology Research Project Ideas [2024 Updated]

    Here are the microbiology research project ideas for college students. 1. Belly Bugs Investigation. Analyze how tiny stomach creatures affect digestion and health. 2. Germ-Fighting Items. Test everyday things like garlic, honey, or vinegar for their ability to fight germs. 3. Water Creatures Exploration.

  16. (PDF) Microbiology Research Proposal

    (PDF) Microbiology Research Proposal

  17. The vocabulary of microbiome research: a proposal

    The vocabulary of microbiome research: a proposal

  18. Research Proposal Tools

    Step 2) Other Direct Costs: enter an estimated amount for each eligible direct cost listed in the table provided. Step 3) Indirect Costs: Enter the current IDC rate. If the sponsors allowable indirect cost rate differs from the standard rate, the correct percentage will need to be entered.

  19. Applied Microbiology Final Year Project Topics and Research Areas

    Impact of Medical Microbiology on Healthcare; Research Areas and Project Topics; 1. Antimicrobial Resistance. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) refers to the ability of microorganisms to withstand the effects of antimicrobial drugs, making infections harder to treat and increasing the risk of spread. It is a growing concern globally and requires ...

  20. Successful Marie Curie Research Proposal Example

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  21. Microbiology (research proposal form) PhD Projects, Programmes

    The MSc by Research programme at the University of Aberdeen is for students interested in a research-intensive master's degree. It is designed specifically to enhance your skills for a PhD or research career. Read more. Supervisors: Prof C Munro, Dr D Childers, Dr H Cao, Dr L Walker.

  22. Microbiology Research Proposal

    Microbiology Research Proposal - Free download as PDF File (.pdf), Text File (.txt) or read online for free. This document presents a research proposal that aims to assess the microbial contamination and diversity found on used facemasks disposed of at Kabianga Shopping Centre. The study aims to collect 20 used facemask samples from the dumpsite, culture any microbes found on the inner and ...

  23. Microbiology Project Proposal

    Microbiology Project Proposal - Free download as Powerpoint Presentation (.ppt / .ppsx), PDF File (.pdf), Text File (.txt) or view presentation slides online. This document is a project proposal submitted by Nabeel Mohammed and Harish Kumar for their microbiology project. The proposal aims to investigate and identify bacteria that can degrade plastics at an accelerated rate.

  24. Proposal of Paenimyroides marinum (Song et al. 2013) comb. nov. to

    In this article, the author addresses the issue of nomenclatural illegitimacy of Paenimyroides aquimaris (García-López et al. 2020) Zhang et al. 2023. This name was formed without re-establishment of the earlier legitimate epithet marinum and should be considered to be illegitimate according to Rule 41a. As required by Rule 54, the author proposes Paenimyroides marinum (Song et al. 2013) as ...