SERRATIA MARCESCENS by Carter Stanley is a background research paper for a science fair project based on the virus Serratis Marcescens and its antibiotics Tetracycline and Streptomycin.

SERRATIA MARCESCENS Serratia marcescens is a pathogen that at one time, was considered to be harmless. However, testing conducted in the 20th century accidentally revealed just the opposite. The pivotal study called "Operation Sea Spray" was conducted in the early 1950's. The United States Army was testing how wind currents affected the spread of biochemical weapons. Giant balloons were filled with Serratia marcescens and floated over the city of San Francisco. The balloons were subsequently …

…but due to an accidental discovery it has rightfully been classified as a harmful pathogen. Since bacteria live in almost every environment on planet earth, every human being will always be at risk to transmit the diseases caused by bacteria. Antibiotics provide cures and treatments to eliminate and reduce the threat of these harmful agents. Tetracycline and Streptomycin are only two examples of these miracle workers. Literature indicates that Serratia marcescens is sensitive to aminoglycosides.