### Goose Droppings to Groundbreaking Discovery: How a STEM Outreach Program Unleashed a Novel Cytotoxic Peptide
Scientific advancements can arise from the most surprising sources. When Jin Yi (Jeanie) Tan, a PhD candidate in Brian Murphy’s lab at the University of Illinois Chicago, allowed middle school students in a science outreach initiative the freedom to choose environmental samples for collection, she never suspected that goose droppings would lead to a remarkable discovery. However, what started as an enjoyable after-school program for underprivileged children not only ignited a passion for microbiology but also culminated in the discovery of a new cytotoxic peptide with promising applications in cancer treatment.
### Inspiring Young Minds Through Hands-On Science
Tan directs an innovative course called the Chicago Antibiotic Discovery Lab, a 14-week after-school program aimed at engaging middle school students from marginalized communities. Funded by the Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant, this initiative collaborates with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Chicago to provide practical learning experiences in microbiology, antibiotic discovery, and various STEM fields. Students, mainly aged 11–13, investigate their surroundings in pursuit of microorganisms capable of fighting multi-drug resistant bacteria.
The program places emphasis on fostering curiosity and building self-assurance. Students gather samples from their local areas, extracting microbes from sources such as flowers, lake water, playground equipment, and air conditioning filters—alongside the notorious goose droppings. They also utilize semi-automated lab protocols that Tan developed, enabling them to safely isolate bacterial colonies, assess their characteristics, and examine their antibiotic capabilities. Through the use of robotics and biosafety measures, even middle schoolers can actively engage in real, pioneering research.
“We’ve conducted four distinct cohorts of this initiative, continually refining it to enhance its effectiveness,” remarks Tan. “One of our advantages is the program’s small size, which allows us to provide personalized mentoring and customize the activities to align with the students’ interests.”
### The Birth of Science From Curiosity
While the main objective of the program is to connect students with STEM education and career opportunities, it also represents a genuine research endeavor. Students program robots to isolate microbial colonies on agar plates and assess their capacity to inhibit the growth of multi-drug resistant bacteria. The hands-on aspect of this work ignites excitement, even in students who may initially be apprehensive about microbes. “At first, when they view the environmental plates, they feel quite squeamish,” Tan observed. “But only five minutes later, they’re enthralled. They exclaim, ‘Wait, what’s this one? Why is it pink?’”
The ingenuity of one student in submitting goose droppings for examination became crucial. From this unconventional source, Tan’s team successfully cultivated *Pseudomonas idahonensis*, a bacterium that produced a novel cyclic lipodepsipeptide. Designated as orfamide N, this molecule became the foundation for a subsequent study aimed at elucidating its bioactive properties.
### A Microscopic Breakthrough
Tan’s research on orfamide N led to a notable finding that showcases the untapped potential of microbial metabolites. Employing advanced techniques such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and mass spectrometry, Tan and her colleagues determined the structure of this cyclic peptide, which consists of 10 mixed D- and L-amino acids connected to a unique lipid tail. This molecular characteristic distinguishes orfamide N from other known orfamides and is believed to enhance its bioactive attributes.
Though orfamide N showed limited antibacterial effectiveness, it demonstrated significant cytotoxicity in tests against human cancer cell lines. The peptide’s capacity to target malignant cells merits further exploration into its viability for cancer treatment. The research was published in the journal *ACS Omega*, with the student who collected the goose droppings acknowledged as a co-author—highlighting their essential contribution to the discovery. “The student was incredibly enthusiastic about it,” commented Jonathon Rodriguez, technology program manager at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Chicago.
### Scientific Outreach Designed for Impact
The achievements of the Chicago Antibiotic Discovery Lab extend beyond the discovery of orfamide N. It serves as a template for how scientific inquiry and community outreach can intersect to create meaningful outcomes. By introducing young learners to microbiology, robotics, and bioinformatics, the program empowers them to take charge of their education and foster their scientific interest. Moreover, it helps close the gap between academic research and local communities.
“There is often a disconnect between a university and the surrounding communities it ought to serve,” states Brian Murphy, Tan’s academic mentor. “Both entities are learning about one another and establishing trust, and that typical divide between university and community is being steadily dismantled.”
### Looking Ahead: A Blueprint for Outreach Programs
As the program commences its third year, its founders aspire to stimulate similar partnerships in other locations. The integration of microbial drug discovery with educational influence presents a compelling proposal for collaborations between universities and community organizations. The hands-on research