09/04/2026
RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT! Alex Litza is a double major student studying biology with a genetics/molecular emphasis and forensic investigation with a lab emphasis. This summer she had the opportunity to work on a collaborative research project with Dr. Rabbani in the Department of Chemistry and Dr. Levenstein in the Department of Biology to determine if cotton physically modified with alcohol groups can inhibit bacterial growth. She also had the opportunity to present her findings at the WiSys SPARK symposium at UW-Eau Claire in August.
“To my understanding, this research project is a two-step process: the first step is to functionalize the cotton, and the second step is the modification. The second step is when the isopropyl group has been bonded to the cotton fabric. Since isopropyl alcohol is found in rubbing alcohol, it was hypothesized that the cotton should have some antimicrobial properties. Once I receive the cotton from Dr. Rabbani’s group, I process it into 1 cm squares and use it in different experiments to try and characterize if/how the cotton is able to prevent bacterial growth. A few experiments yielded results where the cotton was able to inhibit bacterial growth. So far, the cotton has only been used in experiments with E. coli, but I am planning on introducing different microbes like yeast or other species of bacteria during the fall semester,” said Litza. “It has been an amazing experience so far, allowing me to utilize skills and techniques I have learned in my previous biology classes here at UW-Platteville as well as providing hands-on experience in a full-time lab setting.”
UW-Platteville Biology Department University of Wisconsin-Platteville WiSys UW-Platteville College of Engineering, Mathematics and Science Criminal Justice & Forensic Investigation at UW- Platteville
