Authors: Zadie Carlson
Mentors: Lauren Brooks
Insitution: Utah Valley University
Antibiotic resistance is one of the greatest emerging health crises in the world. Antibiotic resistance occurs when species of bacteria evolves protection from the drugs we use to treat infections. Genes encoding resistance to all developed antibiotics have been identified for many pathogenic species of bacteria. Exacerbating the problem, in addition to passing genetic material from parent-to-offspring, bacteria also exchange genes via 'horizontal gene transfer’. Through this, a bacterium can rapidly transfer its genetic material between cells, sometimes transferring between distantly related species. Horizontal gene transfer can pose a threat when it comes to the transfer of antibiotic-resistant genetic material as genes selected for in one cell could be transferred to others, leading to pathogens that could cause infections. Carbapenem is an 'end of line' drug, meaning carbapenem is used to treat infections when a bacterium is resistant to all other antibiotics. Thus, it is essential to monitor for resistance to carbapenem.
This research identifies locations on UVU’s campus where genes associated with carbapenem-resistance are found. We searched the literature to find previously developed primers to detect carbapenem resistance genes. We then swabbed commonly used surfaces, extracted the DNA, amplified our DNA fragments using PCR. Gel electrophoresis was used to examine the samples for presence or absence of the genes. Through this preliminary survey, we have determined where on UVU’s campus these resistance genes are being harbored.