Degree Name
MS (Master of Science)
Program
Biology
Date of Award
12-2010
Committee Chair or Co-Chairs
Bert C. Lampson
Committee Members
Ranjan N. Chakraborty, Eric L. Mustain
Abstract
Many important antibiotics have become nearly obsolete due to the rise of antibiotic resistant pathogens. Rhodococcus, an actinomycete related to the prolific antibiotic producing genus Streptomyces, harbors over 30 genes for secondary metabolism that could be involved in antibiotic production. Several antibiotics have already been reported for Rhodococcus, suggesting the genus may be a good source for new inhibitory compounds. Fifty four soil bacteria were isolated using enrichment culture techniques (including 37 Rhodococcus) and screened for antibiotic producers. BTHX2, a species of Bacillus was found to have activity against Micrococcus luteus and Rhodococcus erythropolis. BTHX2 has a 16S rDNA sequence 97% homologous to Bacillus licheniformis, and may be a new strain of B. licheniformis. The inhibitory substance produced by BTHX2 was and found to have a spectrum of activity against a broad Gram-positive bacteria and some fungus, and may have cytolytic activity.
Document Type
Thesis - unrestricted
Recommended Citation
Barber, Thomas S., "Discovery and Characterization of an Antibiotic from the Soil Bacterium Bacillus sp." (2010). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 1777. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/1777
Copyright
Copyright by the authors.