My research project evaluated the efficacy of a developed electric device for the disinfection of sink biofilms. I found that electrical treatment can be a promising method to reduce sink biofilms. From this year long project, I learnt to perform many laboratory assays such as MIC screenings, and attachment, biofilm development and biofilm eradication assays using techniques such as bacterial culturing and normalization, and crystal violet staining. I also learnt how to carry out DNA extraction and quality checks for downstream 16S rRNA sequencing. Besides wet lab techniques, I also learnt how to organize and compute data in Excel, draw graphs and perform statistical tests in Graphpad, and process and analyze microbiome data with Galaxy and MicrobiomeAnalyst. 

 

Prior to this research project, my laboratory experiences came from LSM courses. In many courses, we were taught key scientific concepts and provided a tried and tested protocol to execute. Oftentimes, we would be able to see the expected results and convenient explanations were readily available to be included in our laboratory reports. The closest experience to real research would be in LSM3228, where we were given the opportunity to design and execute an experiment, for which the results were not guaranteed. This gave me a teaser for what is to come for my final year research project.

 

Embarking on this research project completely overturned what I thought research was like. I was certainly taken aback by the degree of autonomy accorded to me, with its concomitant uncertainties. It was certainly challenging to transition from learning Science to doing Science, from factual Science to inquiry Science. I am expected to consult the literature to design my own experiments, include relevant controls for data interpretation and source for the materials to assemble my setups. I also learnt how to work within financial and resource constraints and to make full use of the available equipment at my disposal. The experience of installing a power cord into an incubator and pivoting from staining bottle-trap cups to arms were certainly very memorable as it taught me to be flexible in my thinking and to think of solutions outside the box. I learnt how to plan my experiments around my timetable to make full use of my time. I also learnt how to maintain a laboratory, which includes the cleaning and autoclaving of equipment, disposing of wastes and procuring of laboratory consumables. 

 

The course of my final year project was definitely not smooth sailing. Behind all of the successful experiments were numerous failed ones, in-depth consultations with Dr Ch’ng and iterative protocol optimizations. Gone are the days where answers were served on a platter, this project taught me that research is about looking for answers to my questions in unchartered territories. Working on this multidisciplinary project also gave me a flavour of what collaboration is like in the real world. I learnt how to work, liaise and negotiate with multiple stakeholders. It was also difficult to witness the falling out of our collaborators over ownership rights to the patent. This was a painful reminder that the world can be a harsh place and to always be careful when financial interests of different parties are not aligned.

 

However, all these struggles were eventually rewarded with findings, some of which expected, others serendipitous. A key takeaway from my time at Laboratory of Microbial Biofilms would be that negative findings is not a dead-end but a reminder to look in another direction. Oftentimes, findings spark new questions for us to search for new answers. This, I believe, is the spirit of Science, where scientists contribute towards a body of knowledge about nature, which in turn serve as the foundation for translational applications which can benefit mankind.

 

Looking back at the past one year, I have certainly grown as a Science student, a Microbiology researcher and most importantly as a person. I have learnt valuable scientific knowledge, picked up invaluable research skills and techniques, and grown in confidence and resilience. I am now sure that research is a career I wish to pursue, and all the skills learnt here will serve me well in my future research.

 

“If you want to be mesmerized by the stars, you must not be afraid of the dark”.