Purpose

The purpose of this experiment was to determine whether

probiotics and antibiotics were detrimental to the
gastrointestinal system through the use of L. rhamnosus,
Ciprofloxacin, and C. elegans.

Hypothesis
1. If C. elegans are given Ciprofloxacin, their gut microbiome diversity will be
diminished with stunted development marked by their diminished length.
2. If C. elegans are exposed to L. rhamnosus GG, they will develop at a standard
rate then experience a prolonged lifespan.
3. If C. elegans are given both Ciprofloxacin and L. rhamnosus GG, the C. elegans
will exhibit standard development. Both L. rhamnosus GG and ciprofloxacin were
administered to patients compromised with P. aeruginosa infections, thus they target
problems deriving from the pathogenic strain.

Rationale
In previous studies, alterations to gut microbiome can impact
magnitude of development and amount. Ciprofloxacin negatively
affects the gut microbiome, therefore C. elegans development will
be stunted. In contrast, when Lactobacillus rhamnosus was given to
C. elegans, they experienced a restoration of microbes and standard
development. Given these two factors, the variables should
neutralize each other and standard C. elegans development should
be expected.

Variables
Independent Variable: Amount of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG(40µg/ml) and
Ciprofloxacin (40µg/ml) per petri dish of C. elegans.
Dependent Variable: Growth (in mm) and number of C. elegans per plate. Data
recorded with a microscope.
Control Group: Petri dish of C. elegans without Ciprofloxacin/L. rhamnosus.
Controlled Variables: Culturing procedure, workplace environment conditions, C.
elegans culture, type of agar, C. elegans growth conditions, and duration of growth,
amount of E. coli k12 strain per plate.

Background Research
Probiotics: Living nonpathogenic microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract
that promote benefits to the host. Used to treat gastrointestinal diseases. Cause
eubiosis- restoration of microbial balance.
Lactobacillus rhamnosus: Type of probiotic that downregulates
inflammation in the gut, lungs, intestines, and blood. Most commonly
researched probiotic that targets gastrointestinal infections and diseases as it’s
also an immunobiotic. Possesses recolonization benefits.
Gastrointestinal Tract: Controls vitamin production, histological
development, metabolism, and the enhancement of the
immune system.
Homeostasis: State of equilibrium when the gut
microbiome subdues external microorganisms while
regulating the proliferation of internal microorganisms.
Antibiotics: Cause dysbiosis (depletion of GI biodiversity).
Ciprofloxacin: Antibiotic used to treat GI diseases. Prior research study, patients
had GI compositional alterations present six months after drug administration.
Misconceptions: Standard probiotics easily colonized the gut of a group of
patients that were previously given Ciprofloxacin, yet it prevented the
microbiome restoration to its normal state for several months post treatment.
C. elegans: Transparent, smooth-skinned,
unsegmented, free-living invertebrate nematode. They
mature up to 1 mm within their lifespan of two weeks.
Most commonly used for cellular and molecular
biological research.
C. elegans with L. rhamnosus GG: study showed that LGG was not harmful
towards C. elegans and was able to colonize their intestines. The consumption of
LGG intensified C. elegans’ resistance to gram-positive and gram-negative
pathogens along with a prolonged lifespan.