Authors: Julia Gilpin, Lucy Bowden, Sela Harris, Elisa McRae, Jenny Bean, Brooklyn Jones
Mentors: Bradford Berges
Insitution: Brigham Young University
Staphylococcus aureus (SA) is a significant human pathogen that has acquired antibiotic resistance, posing a global health threat. This bacterium is prevalent in livestock, raw meat, and healthcare settings, leading to infections ranging from mild to life-threatening. The emergence of multi-drug resistant strains, such as Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), further complicates treatment. The mechanisms of antibiotic resistance transfer, especially within biofilms, remain poorly understood.
This research aims to investigate horizontal gene transfer within biofilms of SA isolated from humans. Leveraging the work of the Berges laboratory and techniques used by other researchers. The experimental design involves the use of heat-killed cells as donors to prevent conjugation, shedding light on how biofilm structure influences transformation efficiency.
To address the hypothesis that biofilms serve as hotspots for horizontal gene transfer, the research employs a two-component system for upregulating natural competence genes in SA under biofilm growth conditions. This approach will allow us to detect natural transformation, advancing our understanding of SA infections closely associated with biofilm formation. If successful, this study will provide insights into how SA acquires antibiotic-resistant genes and may lead to the development of preventive measures and treatment strategies to combat drug-resistant strains.