Characterization of an antibiotic-producing bacterial isolate effective against Enterobacter aerogenes
Major
Biology
Submission Type
Poster
Area of Study or Work
Biology, Health, Pre-Medicine
Expected Graduation Date
2026
Location
CNS Atrium, Easel 13
Start Date
4-15-2023 9:00 AM
End Date
4-15-2023 10:15 AM
Abstract
The rise of antibiotic resistant bacteria is accelerating due to the misuse of antibiotics in agriculture and healthcare. Even though more antibiotics are needed, reduced funding for academic research and decreased investment by pharmaceutical companies has slowed the discovery of antibiotics. The pathogens with the greatest need for new antibiotics include six highly infectious and drug-resistant species: Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter sp., collectively referred to as the ESKAPE pathogens. The work presented here focuses on Enterobacter aerogenes, a gram negative bacterium that causes urinary tract and blood infections. Two soil samples were collected from the Illinois Wesleyan Campus and serially diluted onto Rhizobium and Actinomycete Isolation medium plates supplemented with Carbendazim to inhibit fungal growth. After incubation at 25℃ for six days, numerous colonies with diverse morphologies grew. These colonies were placed onto a lawn of E. aerogenes and allowed to compete. A region of growth inhibition indicated the production of an antibacterial compound effective against E. aerogenes. Of 200 colonies screened, one zone of inhibition was observed. After the zone of inhibition was found, the soil bacteria was isolated in pure culture and analyzed by 16s rRNA sequencing, microscopy, and chemical extraction. This research is an important step in treating antibiotic resistant bacterial infections which will continue to affect society.
Characterization of an antibiotic-producing bacterial isolate effective against Enterobacter aerogenes
CNS Atrium, Easel 13
The rise of antibiotic resistant bacteria is accelerating due to the misuse of antibiotics in agriculture and healthcare. Even though more antibiotics are needed, reduced funding for academic research and decreased investment by pharmaceutical companies has slowed the discovery of antibiotics. The pathogens with the greatest need for new antibiotics include six highly infectious and drug-resistant species: Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter sp., collectively referred to as the ESKAPE pathogens. The work presented here focuses on Enterobacter aerogenes, a gram negative bacterium that causes urinary tract and blood infections. Two soil samples were collected from the Illinois Wesleyan Campus and serially diluted onto Rhizobium and Actinomycete Isolation medium plates supplemented with Carbendazim to inhibit fungal growth. After incubation at 25℃ for six days, numerous colonies with diverse morphologies grew. These colonies were placed onto a lawn of E. aerogenes and allowed to compete. A region of growth inhibition indicated the production of an antibacterial compound effective against E. aerogenes. Of 200 colonies screened, one zone of inhibition was observed. After the zone of inhibition was found, the soil bacteria was isolated in pure culture and analyzed by 16s rRNA sequencing, microscopy, and chemical extraction. This research is an important step in treating antibiotic resistant bacterial infections which will continue to affect society.