Is this project an undergraduate, graduate, or faculty project?
Undergraduate
Project Type
individual
Campus
Daytona Beach
Authors' Class Standing
Tyler Jenkins, Sophomore
Lead Presenter's Name
Tyler Jenkins
Lead Presenter's College
DB College of Arts and Sciences
Faculty Mentor Name
Hugo Castillo
Abstract
Microorganisms are an integral part of any biological system’s performance, and researching the different tendencies of bacterial strains give scientists a more structured idea of how to work with them in specific applications. Bacterial research consists of studying antibiotic resistance, virulence, differential gene expression in extreme environments. Studies using microgravity analogs have shown that different strains have implications for astronaut performance and life support systems, and further research must be devoted to understanding the different mechanisms facilitating these adaptations and mitigating the risks these bacteria pose to the success of space missions. This experiment focuses on studying the phenotypes of a unique, non motile strain of Escherichia coli, MG1566, in an effort to compare its phenotypical changes in simulated microgravity with the motile E. coli K12 strain by assessing potential variations in motility, growth patterns, biofilm formation, and differential expression of stress-related genes when placed in a 2D microgravity analog. Using a 2D clinostat, E. coli MG1566 was grown up to 48 hours to test for changes in phenotypical expression that could indicate a significant difference in genetic expression across different bacterial strains. Results from ongoing studies indicate a statistically significant difference between the growth patterns and biofilm development of MG1566 and K12 with an extrapolation that stress-related genes will also display some type of significant difference. The changes observed by these bacterial strains support the claim that bacteria in the same species can behave differently despite similar environments, prompting researchers to continue exploring the widespread complexity of microorganisms in microgravity environments.
Did this research project receive funding support (Spark, SURF, Research Abroad, Student Internal Grants, Collaborative, Climbing, or Ignite Grants) from the Office of Undergraduate Research?
Yes, Spark Grant
Simulated microgravity effects on Escherichia coli MG1566 ability to form biofilms and its potential implications on virulence
Microorganisms are an integral part of any biological system’s performance, and researching the different tendencies of bacterial strains give scientists a more structured idea of how to work with them in specific applications. Bacterial research consists of studying antibiotic resistance, virulence, differential gene expression in extreme environments. Studies using microgravity analogs have shown that different strains have implications for astronaut performance and life support systems, and further research must be devoted to understanding the different mechanisms facilitating these adaptations and mitigating the risks these bacteria pose to the success of space missions. This experiment focuses on studying the phenotypes of a unique, non motile strain of Escherichia coli, MG1566, in an effort to compare its phenotypical changes in simulated microgravity with the motile E. coli K12 strain by assessing potential variations in motility, growth patterns, biofilm formation, and differential expression of stress-related genes when placed in a 2D microgravity analog. Using a 2D clinostat, E. coli MG1566 was grown up to 48 hours to test for changes in phenotypical expression that could indicate a significant difference in genetic expression across different bacterial strains. Results from ongoing studies indicate a statistically significant difference between the growth patterns and biofilm development of MG1566 and K12 with an extrapolation that stress-related genes will also display some type of significant difference. The changes observed by these bacterial strains support the claim that bacteria in the same species can behave differently despite similar environments, prompting researchers to continue exploring the widespread complexity of microorganisms in microgravity environments.