Over the last few days, we’ve shared updates and observations from #PitStart, a pilot study examining the effects of deodorants and antiperspirants on armpit microbes, coordinated by our friends in the Genomics and Microbiology Lab at the Nature Research Center.
You may have heard our scientists and volunteer participants mention plates of their armpit bacteria. By plates, we’re referring to petri dishes – not dinner plates – that contain a special nutritious medium on which the microbes can grow. You got a close-up of my plates from the first day of #PitStart as well as those belonging to volunteer David da Souza from Day 4 of the experiment.
We want to get you involved in the whole process of doing science with the Your Wild Life team so today we’re taking you into the lab with Meg, an intern in the Genomics & Microbio Lab (you met her this summer). Meg’s spent the better part of last week plating out #PitStart samples and will show you how we go from a sterile Q-tip covered in armpit bacteria to pretty colonies on a plate.
Watch and learn!
KA
Watching this clip made me wonder if contamination of samples –from mouth or nose of subject or researchers — can affect results?
LUANN BRIDLE
Heard about your studies today on People’s Pharmacy (2-24-13). I am interested in participating, however I do not as a practice wear deorarant. Contact if you need a participant. I live in Stokes County, NC near Hanging Rock State Park. Blessings, Luann
Nina
Is this project still going on?
Holly
Hi Nina! We’re in the process of analyzing microbe data from the first round of the PitStart project (conducted in summer 2012) – Stay tuned to the website where we’ll post opportunities to get involved in subsequent rounds of armpit research. Thanks for your interest!