King of the Castle! The Contact-Dependent Inhibition of Salmonella by Pseudomonas baetica a390
Abstract
The genus Pseudomonas, commonly known as a pathogen in various illnesses, has an extraordinary ability to target other harmful pathogens that are often overlooked. This project focuses on the antimicrobial properties of polymicrobial interactions and their therapeutic potential. Soil samples from the Appalachian region were collected and screened for their ability to inhibit pathogens commonly associated with hospital-acquired infections. A particular bacterial strain, now known as Pseudomonas baetica a390, exhibited the capacity to create zones-of-inhibition on thirteen different pathogens, including Salmonella enterica and Salmonella arizoniae. To investigate the mechanism of inhibition, we are employing transposon-based mutagenesis utilizing the EZ-Tn5 transposon to transform wild-type (WT) Pseudomonas species. After phenotypic screening, four mutants (C1, C2, H8, H9) were isolated due to their loss-of-function (LOF) phenotype. The genomes of these mutants were isolated, cut with restriction enzymes, re-ligated, and inserted into Pir1 E. coli. Both WT inhibition and LOF P. baetica strains were assessed for effects on planktonic and biofilm growth of S. arizoniae. In the final experiments, C. elegans were used as an in vivo model to observe both survivability and microbial burden when infected with WT and LOF and S. arizoniae co-cultures. By unravelling the antimicrobial mechanisms of these soil microbes, we could develop a better understanding of polymicrobial interactions while also identifying new targets to fight pathogenic bacteria.
Start Time
15-4-2026 9:00 AM
End Time
15-4-2026 10:00 AM
Room Number
303
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Presentation Subtype
Grad/Comp Orals
Presentation Category
Science, Technology, and Engineering
Student Type
Graduate
Faculty Mentor
Sean Fox
King of the Castle! The Contact-Dependent Inhibition of Salmonella by Pseudomonas baetica a390
303
The genus Pseudomonas, commonly known as a pathogen in various illnesses, has an extraordinary ability to target other harmful pathogens that are often overlooked. This project focuses on the antimicrobial properties of polymicrobial interactions and their therapeutic potential. Soil samples from the Appalachian region were collected and screened for their ability to inhibit pathogens commonly associated with hospital-acquired infections. A particular bacterial strain, now known as Pseudomonas baetica a390, exhibited the capacity to create zones-of-inhibition on thirteen different pathogens, including Salmonella enterica and Salmonella arizoniae. To investigate the mechanism of inhibition, we are employing transposon-based mutagenesis utilizing the EZ-Tn5 transposon to transform wild-type (WT) Pseudomonas species. After phenotypic screening, four mutants (C1, C2, H8, H9) were isolated due to their loss-of-function (LOF) phenotype. The genomes of these mutants were isolated, cut with restriction enzymes, re-ligated, and inserted into Pir1 E. coli. Both WT inhibition and LOF P. baetica strains were assessed for effects on planktonic and biofilm growth of S. arizoniae. In the final experiments, C. elegans were used as an in vivo model to observe both survivability and microbial burden when infected with WT and LOF and S. arizoniae co-cultures. By unravelling the antimicrobial mechanisms of these soil microbes, we could develop a better understanding of polymicrobial interactions while also identifying new targets to fight pathogenic bacteria.
