Scientists at University of Nebraska-Lincoln are conducting studies to understand the potential of the skin virome as trace evidence in forensic investigations. They are currently looking for 60 healthy adults (19 years of age or older).
During this study researchers plan to collect skin swabs at 5 different time points over the period of 6 months. The swab samples collected in this study will be used to evaluate the viral and bacterial populations of the skin of the participants and how these populations change over time and in response to the environment.
The samples will be collected over the course of 5 visits to the laboratory of Dr. Adamowicz, Director of the Program in Forensic Sciences, over a 6 month time period.
The only requirement to be a participant is being a healthy individual, 19 years of age or older, with no existing infectious medical conditions, and no antibiotic treatment in the 6 months prior to sample collection.
Volunteers will be compensated for their time and involvement in the study with a payment of $50 cash for the total of 5 collections provided at the end of the study. If fewer than 5 samples are collected, participants will be compensated at the rate of $10 cash per sample collected.
If interested in participating in this study, any individual can contact Dr. Michael Adamowicz:
Dr. Michael Adamowicz
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Filley Hall - East Campus Lincoln, NE 68583
madamowicz2@unl.edu