Building a Polymer Database for Microplastic Analysis: Advancing Research on Bacterial Colonization and Resistance

Microplastics can serve as substrates for bacteria, and understanding and analyzing their composition has the potential to advance research in this area. Specifically, understanding and analyzing the composition of these microplastics is crucial for advancing research on microbial colonization and resistance mechanisms of bacteria. The study aims to develop a comprehensive and interactive database of known polymers to aid in microplastic identification, specifically samples collected from Blue Marsh Lake and the Basin of Tulpehocken Creek. By cataloging and characterizing polymer types using Infrared (IR) spectroscopy, the database will enable accurate and efficient microplastic analysis in environmental samples. This resource will aid ongoing research on antibiotic-resistant bacteria by providing data on the materials that enable their continued growth and colonization. Ultimately, the spectral library will be utilized to analyze microplastics from freshwater sources, enabling the examination of materials carrying antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

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Work Title Building a Polymer Database for Microplastic Analysis: Advancing Research on Bacterial Colonization and Resistance
Access
Open Access
Creators
  1. Michelle Brown
  2. Jules Cameron Lesher
  3. Bianca Witaszek
Keyword
  1. Analytical Chemistry
  2. IR Spectroscopy
License CC BY 4.0 (Attribution)
Work Type Poster
Acknowledgments
  1. Faculty Sponsor: Dr. James M. Karlinsey
  2. The authors would like to thank the Penn State Berks Division of Science for providing Undergraduate Research Funds to support this work.
Publication Date May 2025
DOI doi:10.26207/aak2-9k50
Deposited April 29, 2025

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Version 1
published

  • Created
  • Updated
  • Updated Keyword, Description, Publication Date Show Changes
    Keyword
    • Analytical Chemistry, IR Spectroscopy
    Description
    • Microplastics can serve as substrates for bacteria, and understanding and analyzing their composition has the potential to advance research in this area. Specifically, understanding and analyzing the composition of these microplastics is crucial for advancing research on microbial colonization and resistance mechanisms of bacteria. The study aims to develop a comprehensive and interactive database of known polymers to aid in microplastic identification, specifically samples collected from Blue Marsh Lake and the Basin of Tulpehocken Creek. By cataloging and characterizing polymer types using Infrared (IR) spectroscopy, the database will enable accurate and efficient microplastic analysis in environmental samples. This resource will aid ongoing research on antibiotic-resistant bacteria by providing data on the materials that enable their continued growth and colonization. Ultimately, the spectral library will be utilized to analyze microplastics from freshwater sources, enabling the examination of materials carrying antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
    Publication Date
    • 2025-05
  • Updated Acknowledgments Show Changes
    Acknowledgments
    • Faculty Sponsor: Dr. James M. Karlinsey
  • Added Creator Bianca Michelle Witaszek
  • Added Creator Jules Cameron Lesher
  • Added Creator Michelle Brown
  • Updated Acknowledgments Show Changes
    Acknowledgments
    • Faculty Sponsor: Dr. James M. Karlinsey
    • Faculty Sponsor: Dr. James M. Karlinsey, The authors would like to thank the Penn State Berks Division of Science for providing Undergraduate Research Funds to support this work
  • Added WitaszekBianca_LesherJules_BrownMichelle_Poster.pdf
  • Updated
  • Updated License Show Changes
    License
    • https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
  • Published
  • Updated
  • Renamed Creator Bianca Witaszek Show Changes
    • Bianca Michelle Witaszek
    • Bianca Witaszek
  • Updated Creator Michelle Brown
  • Updated Acknowledgments Show Changes
    Acknowledgments
    • Faculty Sponsor: Dr. James M. Karlinsey, The authors would like to thank the Penn State Berks Division of Science for providing Undergraduate Research Funds to support this work
    • Faculty Sponsor: Dr. James M. Karlinsey, The authors would like to thank the Penn State Berks Division of Science for providing Undergraduate Research Funds to support this work.