Probiotic Potential of Bacterial Combinations for Amphibian Pathogen Remediation of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis
Faculty Mentor
Dr. Jenifer Walke
Presentation Type
Poster
Start Date
5-8-2024 9:00 AM
End Date
5-8-2024 10:45 AM
Location
PUB NCR
Primary Discipline of Presentation
Biology
Abstract
Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) induced chytridiomycosis is a disease associated with numerous amphibian extinctions. Bd infects skin cells, causing damage and potential mortality due to electrolyte imbalance and septicemia. Due to the pathology of Bd, research has focused on the amphibian skin microbiome as a source of mitigation. Microbiome members can increase host survival by secreting antifungal metabolites. Bd inhibition by these bacteria in isolation has been widely studied in amphibians; however, in other systems, co-cultures of two bacterial species can alter the metabolic profiles of participants, leading to enhanced inhibition against a third species. Genus Streptomyces is known for extensive bioactive metabolite secretion, including antifungals, and is found in the amphibian skin microbiome. I will analyze Bd-inhibitory relationships using laboratory assays challenging Bd with Streptomyces in isolation and combination with other amphibian skin symbionts Janthinobacterium lividum, Bacillus sp. and Pseudomonas sp. We hypothesize that the Bd inhibitory capacity of metabolites secreted in Bd-bacteria co-cultures will vary depending on species composition of co-cultures. Bacterial species were isolated and had DNA extracted, amplified, and the 16S rRNA gene sequenced. Isolates will be placed in bipartite and tripartite liquid cultures containing Bd. Metabolites of these cultures will be extracted and tested against Bd using a standard 96-well assay protocol. Bd inhibition will be measured using optical density at 492 nm, and inhibition values will be compared statistically to test my hypothesis. This work will provide insight into bacterial community-dependent pathogen resistance and potential probiotics for Bd remediation.
Recommended Citation
George, Marion; Jost, Talon; and Walke, Jenifer PhD, "Probiotic Potential of Bacterial Combinations for Amphibian Pathogen Remediation of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis" (2024). 2024 Symposium. 13.
https://dc.ewu.edu/srcw_2024/ps_2024/p1_2024/13
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Probiotic Potential of Bacterial Combinations for Amphibian Pathogen Remediation of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis
PUB NCR
Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) induced chytridiomycosis is a disease associated with numerous amphibian extinctions. Bd infects skin cells, causing damage and potential mortality due to electrolyte imbalance and septicemia. Due to the pathology of Bd, research has focused on the amphibian skin microbiome as a source of mitigation. Microbiome members can increase host survival by secreting antifungal metabolites. Bd inhibition by these bacteria in isolation has been widely studied in amphibians; however, in other systems, co-cultures of two bacterial species can alter the metabolic profiles of participants, leading to enhanced inhibition against a third species. Genus Streptomyces is known for extensive bioactive metabolite secretion, including antifungals, and is found in the amphibian skin microbiome. I will analyze Bd-inhibitory relationships using laboratory assays challenging Bd with Streptomyces in isolation and combination with other amphibian skin symbionts Janthinobacterium lividum, Bacillus sp. and Pseudomonas sp. We hypothesize that the Bd inhibitory capacity of metabolites secreted in Bd-bacteria co-cultures will vary depending on species composition of co-cultures. Bacterial species were isolated and had DNA extracted, amplified, and the 16S rRNA gene sequenced. Isolates will be placed in bipartite and tripartite liquid cultures containing Bd. Metabolites of these cultures will be extracted and tested against Bd using a standard 96-well assay protocol. Bd inhibition will be measured using optical density at 492 nm, and inhibition values will be compared statistically to test my hypothesis. This work will provide insight into bacterial community-dependent pathogen resistance and potential probiotics for Bd remediation.
