Molecular Detection of Pathogens in Environmental Surface Waters of Peru
Advisor Information
Paul Davis
Location
Milo Bail Student Center Dodge Room B
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Start Date
8-3-2013 1:15 PM
End Date
8-3-2013 1:30 PM
Abstract
Water is the world’s most essential resource for life. While water is essential for life, it also holds the potential to great harm due to the invisible, microscopic pathogens that are able to remain viable in surface and ground water for months. Peru has been at the epicenter for water-borne illnesses on the American continents, including a continent-wide cholera epimedic in the 1990s. These pathogens are particularly detrimental to the youngest generation, pregnant mothers, and the immune-compromised community. Once contracted, these pathogens have the ability to cause growth deficiencies, mental retardation, mental illness, and even death. The people in the slums of Lima, Peru face short and long -term issues in obtaining safe water and recycling wastewater in a manner that is safe for use agriculturally. By taking advantage of novel advances in molecular biology, we are able to detect selected pathogens using PCR on collected and purified water samples. Based on preliminary data we aim to determine what pathogens are present in water supply, the Rimac River, the poorest areas of Lima, and from the Andes Mountain source waters. By using the results of the sampling, we will be able to geographically represent the spread of pathogens throughout the communities’ water supply. With further experimentation this could lead to the control of the spread of these pathogens.
Molecular Detection of Pathogens in Environmental Surface Waters of Peru
Milo Bail Student Center Dodge Room B
Water is the world’s most essential resource for life. While water is essential for life, it also holds the potential to great harm due to the invisible, microscopic pathogens that are able to remain viable in surface and ground water for months. Peru has been at the epicenter for water-borne illnesses on the American continents, including a continent-wide cholera epimedic in the 1990s. These pathogens are particularly detrimental to the youngest generation, pregnant mothers, and the immune-compromised community. Once contracted, these pathogens have the ability to cause growth deficiencies, mental retardation, mental illness, and even death. The people in the slums of Lima, Peru face short and long -term issues in obtaining safe water and recycling wastewater in a manner that is safe for use agriculturally. By taking advantage of novel advances in molecular biology, we are able to detect selected pathogens using PCR on collected and purified water samples. Based on preliminary data we aim to determine what pathogens are present in water supply, the Rimac River, the poorest areas of Lima, and from the Andes Mountain source waters. By using the results of the sampling, we will be able to geographically represent the spread of pathogens throughout the communities’ water supply. With further experimentation this could lead to the control of the spread of these pathogens.