The Antigen Student Research Group of Microbiologists and Immunologists at the University of Szczecin will carry out a scientific project entitled ‘Dangerous and useful – the search for efficient producers of pyocyanin at the Szczecin municipal bathing beach’. The young researchers have won a grant of more than PLN 62,000 from the Ministry of Education and Science.

The research concerns the occurrence of the bacterium pseudomonas aeruginosa, known as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, in water bodies. As a result of its widespread occurrence in the environment, it is necessary to monitor water in municipal bathing waters to ensure the safety of users, particularly those in at-risk groups (patients with diabetes, cystic fibrosis and immunosuppressed patients).

The tests will identify where in the pool the bacteria may be present and will help the manager to remove it. This will result in the pool being closed less frequently and will guarantee that it is sanitary to relax in such a place.