STUDENT RESEARCH TRAINING Nanjing Agricultural University · 2021–2022
MICROBIOLOGY / COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH
Investigating bacterial responses to fungal culture products
An initial study of Escherichia coli responses to growth inhibition by Trichoderma reesei culture supernatant
Collaborative undergraduate projectAs part of a four-member undergraduate team, I took part in an exploratory microbiology project on how bacteria respond to growth-inhibiting substances in fungal culture supernatant.
Our team combined observations of bacterial growth with an initial investigation of the active material and genetic screening. The work produced preliminary findings and open questions that we brought together in our final project presentation.
THE TEAM
Shared experiments, shared learning
We worked on the research together rather than dividing the project into separate individual studies. Chengyue Wang delivered the final presentation on behalf of the group.
My contribution: shared participation in the team’s research work. The project findings below describe our collective work.
THE QUESTION
Why did bacterial responses differ?
Our starting point was a difference in bacterial growth responses to T. reesei culture supernatant. We explored what might account for that difference and what could be learned about the material responsible for the growth-inhibiting effect.
A quick translation: culture supernatant is the liquid fraction collected after growing a microorganism. It can contain released products whose biological effects need to be investigated.
OUR RESEARCH WORK
Three parts of the team project
Comparing growth responses
We examined differences in how the tested bacteria responded to fungal culture products, using those observations to frame the project.
Exploring the active material
We investigated the inhibitory activity of separated material and considered preliminary analytical observations. Its chemical identity remained unresolved.
Screening and interpretation
We used genetic screening to identify a candidate for follow-up, then brought the findings together with the other strands of the project.
WHAT WE REPORTED
Preliminary findings, with work still in progress
- 01
The growth-inhibiting effect differed between the tested bacteria
The presentation reported different growth responses under the conditions studied. This observation motivated the team’s investigation, rather than establishing a universal difference between species.
- 02
Some separated material retained inhibitory activity
The team’s analytical work supported further investigation of an active component. The presentation proposed that a small molecule might be involved, but did not establish its chemical structure.
- 03
The screen produced a candidate for further study
The group reported a candidate genetic association. Follow-up validation was still in progress at the time of the final presentation, so the proposed mechanism remained preliminary.
WHAT I TOOK FROM THE EXPERIENCE
My first steps in research as part of a team
This project was an opportunity to participate in a sustained research effort with other students, connect different types of evidence, and discuss uncertain results with our supervisor.
Working together also meant learning how to bring our experiments and interpretations into a shared final report, with one member presenting on behalf of everyone.
EXPERIENCE FROM THE PROJECT
Based on our SRT completion presentation. Project activity dates follow the 2021–2022 timeline shown in the slides. Shared participation and the presentation arrangement reflect my description of our teamwork.