Quantitating the Effects of a Klebsiella Bacteriocin on E. cloacae Models
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance has emerged as a pressing global health threat, with drug-resistant infections contributing to nearly 5 million deaths worldwide. To address this crisis, bacteriocins have been studied as a possible alternative to traditional antibiotics. Bacteriocins are antimicrobial peptides produced by bacteria to inhibit the growth of closely related strains. Previous studies have shown that bacteriocins reduce the concentration of antibiotics needed to eradicate bacteria in cultures. Our laboratory has demonstrated that a specific Klebsiella pneumoniae strain produces a bacteriocin that inhibits the growth of Enterobacter species, such as E. cloacae, which is a significant source of healthcare-associated infections. This project aims to quantitate the in-vitro inhibitory effects of this bacteriocin on E. cloacae on agar media, in planktonic culture, and biofilm growth conditions. A fluorescent reporter strain of E. cloacae was constructed by transforming a plasmid containing the red fluorescent protein (RFP) gene into wild-type E. cloacae via electroporation. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was then performed on planktonic cultures, showing that cultures treated with the Klebsiella bacteriocin had a reduction in CFUs compared to untreated cultures. Biofilm growth analysis of E. cloacae exposed to the bacteriocin was also assessed by crystal violet and fluorescent emission. The results of this research will hopefully demonstrate the potential of this bacteriocin as a synergistic treatment for drug-resistant Enterobacter infections.
Start Time
16-4-2025 2:30 PM
End Time
16-4-2025 3:30 PM
Room Number
271
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Presentation Subtype
UG Orals
Presentation Category
Health and STEM
Faculty Mentor
Sean Fox
Quantitating the Effects of a Klebsiella Bacteriocin on E. cloacae Models
271
Antibiotic resistance has emerged as a pressing global health threat, with drug-resistant infections contributing to nearly 5 million deaths worldwide. To address this crisis, bacteriocins have been studied as a possible alternative to traditional antibiotics. Bacteriocins are antimicrobial peptides produced by bacteria to inhibit the growth of closely related strains. Previous studies have shown that bacteriocins reduce the concentration of antibiotics needed to eradicate bacteria in cultures. Our laboratory has demonstrated that a specific Klebsiella pneumoniae strain produces a bacteriocin that inhibits the growth of Enterobacter species, such as E. cloacae, which is a significant source of healthcare-associated infections. This project aims to quantitate the in-vitro inhibitory effects of this bacteriocin on E. cloacae on agar media, in planktonic culture, and biofilm growth conditions. A fluorescent reporter strain of E. cloacae was constructed by transforming a plasmid containing the red fluorescent protein (RFP) gene into wild-type E. cloacae via electroporation. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was then performed on planktonic cultures, showing that cultures treated with the Klebsiella bacteriocin had a reduction in CFUs compared to untreated cultures. Biofilm growth analysis of E. cloacae exposed to the bacteriocin was also assessed by crystal violet and fluorescent emission. The results of this research will hopefully demonstrate the potential of this bacteriocin as a synergistic treatment for drug-resistant Enterobacter infections.