Shades of Survival: Polymicrobial Interactions and Violacein Modulation with Chromobacterium violaceum and Raoultella planticola
Abstract
Raoultella planticola, formerly named Klebsiella planticola, shares a near-identical genotype and phenotype with the infamous multi-drug resistant pathogen Klebsiella pneumoniae. R. planticola has been increasingly misdiagnosed as K. pneumoniae infections in recent years, yet its pathogenicity and antibiotic resistance profile remain largely unexplored. C. violaceum produces the bis-indole secondary metabolite called violacein. Violacein is a compound with antimicrobial and signaling properties, which has potential in antibiotic treatments. This research focuses on the interactions between C. violaceum and R. planticola which could affect the survival of R. planticola or modulate violacein production. Current data from growth curves, Kirby Bauer, CFUs, violacein extractions and MIC assays, show an increase in both growth and violacein production under conditions involving varying cephalosporin antibiotic concentrations in co-cultures, suggesting potential metabolic or quorum-sensing interactions. Research in-progress will explore in-vivo effects with C. elegans models, violacein spot-test assays against common pathogens, CFUs from cultures containing co-cultures with antibiotic concentrations of interest, and plasmid screening to explore potential horizontal gene transfer and resistance exchange. By exploring these interactions, this research aims to better understand how emerging Raoultella species interact with other microbes, as well as the conditions producing violacein and its potential implications in polymicrobial systems, and how such systems may influence the persistence and evolution of antibiotic resistance.
Start Time
15-4-2026 11:00 AM
End Time
15-4-2026 12:00 PM
Room Number
311
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Presentation Subtype
Grad/Comp Orals
Presentation Category
Science, Technology, and Engineering
Student Type
Graduate
Faculty Mentor
Sean Fox
Shades of Survival: Polymicrobial Interactions and Violacein Modulation with Chromobacterium violaceum and Raoultella planticola
311
Raoultella planticola, formerly named Klebsiella planticola, shares a near-identical genotype and phenotype with the infamous multi-drug resistant pathogen Klebsiella pneumoniae. R. planticola has been increasingly misdiagnosed as K. pneumoniae infections in recent years, yet its pathogenicity and antibiotic resistance profile remain largely unexplored. C. violaceum produces the bis-indole secondary metabolite called violacein. Violacein is a compound with antimicrobial and signaling properties, which has potential in antibiotic treatments. This research focuses on the interactions between C. violaceum and R. planticola which could affect the survival of R. planticola or modulate violacein production. Current data from growth curves, Kirby Bauer, CFUs, violacein extractions and MIC assays, show an increase in both growth and violacein production under conditions involving varying cephalosporin antibiotic concentrations in co-cultures, suggesting potential metabolic or quorum-sensing interactions. Research in-progress will explore in-vivo effects with C. elegans models, violacein spot-test assays against common pathogens, CFUs from cultures containing co-cultures with antibiotic concentrations of interest, and plasmid screening to explore potential horizontal gene transfer and resistance exchange. By exploring these interactions, this research aims to better understand how emerging Raoultella species interact with other microbes, as well as the conditions producing violacein and its potential implications in polymicrobial systems, and how such systems may influence the persistence and evolution of antibiotic resistance.
