Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Articles 1 - 1 of 1
Full-Text Articles in Entire DC Network
Bacteria That Resist Centrifugal Force, Nickolas Kessler
Bacteria That Resist Centrifugal Force, Nickolas Kessler
Honors Undergraduate Theses
Our lab discovered that approximately 1 in 10,000 Escherichia coli cells in stationary phase remain in suspension after a high g-force centrifuge event. To establish the mechanism behind this curious phenotype, multiple mutant strains of E. coli were independently evolved such that the majority of their populations resisted migration when exposed to high centrifugal forces. Genomic DNA sequencing of the mutants' revealed unique, isolated mutations in genes involved in capsule synthesis and exopolysaccharide (EPS) production. Each mutant exhibits a novel mechanism that allows them to remain in suspension. The mutants were further characterized by determining their growth rates, strengths …