b'A Multipronged Attack on Latent, Active, and Resistant Strains of Mycobacterium TuberculosisCourtney Johnson and Torien BeardSponsor: Dr. Thomas Manning, Department of ChemistryThe bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, also referred to as MTb, infects individuals in latent, active and resistant forms. There are recommended regimens for the delivery of established antibiotics to infected individuals. These regimens focus on the oral administration and involve relatively large doses that often result in significant side effects. This invention is a biodegradable implant composed primarily of an inert saturated fatty acid, namely stearic acid. The antibiotic is incorporated into the stearic acid matrix along with other constituents. The composition also includes a salt to regulate the release rate of the antibiotic, a metal-stearate structure to provide additional toxicity against MTb, ascorbic acid, and unsaturated fatty acids in low concentrations. As the fatty acid implant dissolves, it forms a micelle that encapsulates the antibiotic. The micelle is transported to the infected area by serum and, since it is a primary energy source for the bacterium, is consumed. The antibiotic is hidden in the matrix (micelle). The biodegradable implant, which can be inserted as a single component or as spheres of different sizes (i.e. micrometer) does not have to be removed.Top 50 WHO Essential Medicines in Porto Velho, BrazilJeremy QuintanoSponsor: Dr. Thomas Manning, Department of ChemistryThe WHO list of essential medicines contains all the medicines that are a vital part for the growth of the human population. It is a generic list that highlights all the important drugs present for human proliferation. This study; however, analyzes the key drugs that will be required in a specific region, Porto Velho. Each country has a unique environment which influences the people and the diseases that are present in those people. Some drugs that are absolute necessary for one region may have no use in another part of the world. For this study, we tried to understand the lifestyle of people and what diseases they are most susceptible to in Porto Velho. With this information, top 50 drugs were chosen that seem to hold the most importance for the people of Porto Velho.29'