Project:

Microbiome of Mussels

Students:

Ashley Howell, Nikolas Kinalis

School:

Islip High School, Suffolk

Mentors:

Kelly Mackey

Abstract:

Bacteria found in mussels along the Smithtown Bay have been said to cause health risks when they were consumed; this has led researchers and the DEC to limit mussel consumption. This study hopes to identify the species of bacteria in local bay environments and observe if the bacteria really are a health risks. The main goal of this experiment is to sort DNA sequences with Python, and use the results to compare the bacteria to microbiome databases, in addition to proving if the DEC was correct in labeling the areas in which it is safe or unsafe to consume mussels in the Smithtown Bay. This process will also allow researchers to use a new method for sorting and comparing information, at a faster rate.

Poster:

Team samples: