Microbiology Commons^™

Regulation And Localization Of Urease In Sporosarcina Pasteurii: Implications For Coastal Protection, Amar Kosovac

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Coastal erosion is a persistent problem exacerbated by global warming. As the climate changes, the southeastern coast is likely to experience an increased frequency and intensity of storms, which can significantly damage the coastline. The coast is crucial as it serves as a habitat for numerous animals, supports tourism, and underpins infrastructure. Microbially induced calcite precipitation (MICP) is a novel method to enhance erosion resistance in sandy soils using the non-pathogenic bacterium Sporosarcina pasteurii. S. pasteurii produces urease to catalyze urea into bicarbonate, which drives the precipitation of calcium carbonate. Maximal expression of urease is a limiting factor for …

From Theory To Ecosystems: Exploring Biodiversity And Ecosystem-Function In Pitcher Plant (Darlingtonia Californica) Microbial Communities, Gavin Sutter

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

The relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem-function (BEF) has been a central focus of ecological research for the last three decades, yet the role of space in shaping BEF relationships remains relatively unknown. Research has shown that community diversity and composition can strongly influence productivity, nutrient cycling, and decomposition, but much of this work treats communities as spatially isolated, leaving open how dispersal and other spatial processes shape BEF at broader scales. To begin addressing this gap, I used microbial communities inhabiting Darlingtonia californica pitcher plant leaves to evaluate how spatial organization and successional change shape biodiversity and ecosystem-functioning. I quantified …

The Importance Of The Proline Residue In The Ldiapa Motif Of Cholera Toxin, Akash Bharathan

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Cholera is currently on its seventh global pandemic, disproportionately affecting developing countries. Vibrio cholerae, the bacterial etiologic agent, is able to cause infection by adhering to intestinal epithelial cells and secreting cholera toxin (CT), an AB-type exotoxin that dysregulates signaling pathways. Previous research by the Teter lab has shown that Hsp90, a host cytosolic chaperone, is required for CT to enter the cytosol where it produces toxic effects. Hsp90 binds to CT at two specific motifs, RPPDEI and LDIAPA. The prolines in the RPPDEI motif are essential for binding, but the proline in the LDIAPA has yet to be …

The Role Of Dromedary Camels In The Pprv Epidemiology: Episystem Possibility And Evidence Supporting Global Eradication., Reham Karam, Mahmoud S. Safwat

Mansoura Veterinary Medical Journal

Background: Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is a notifiable, highly contagious and transboundary viral disease infecting a wide range of domestic and wild ruminant species and is caused by a morbillivirus. The disease represents a major predisposing factor of poverty in many endemic regions. Although global eradication of PPR is an internationally endorsed objective, achieving this goal has become increasingly challenging due to the expanding host range of the virus. Methods: Narrative review methodology was used and SANRA criteria to access reliability and quality of the methodology. focuses on PPR infection in camels, which has been reported in some instances …

Tracking Antibiotic Resistant And Multidrug Resistant Bacteria And Antibiotic Resistance Genes In The Huron River Watershed: A Vital Water Resource In Southeast Michigan, Evan Siemienkiewicz

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Antibiotic resistance is a growing global public health concern that extends beyond clinical settings and into natural freshwater environments, where resistant bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) can persist and disseminate through watersheds. Despite growing recognition of freshwater systems as environmental reservoirs of resistance, no published studies have examined antibiotic resistance within the Huron River watershed in Southeast Michigan. Water samples were collected monthly from May through October 2025 at 10 sites along the Huron River. E. coli and Enterococcus isolates were evaluated for resistance to eight antibiotics using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method, and environmental DNA was analyzed by …

Evaluation Of Mycoplasma Genitalium Positivity And Co-Infection With Chlamydia Trachomatis And/Or Neisseria Gonorrhoeae At Various Care Sites Across The United States, Rebecca Lillis, Rodney Arcenas, Christy M. Boraas, Steven E. Chavoustie, Lashonda Crane, Nicole D'Empaire, Aaron C. Ermel, Glenn Harnett, Federico Hinestrosa, Stacey House, Joseph Miller, Anthony Mills, Ronald Poblete, Stephen Young, Barbara Van Der Pol

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated Mycoplasma genitalium (MG) positivity and co-infection with Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and/or Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), based on results from a trial assessing clinical performance of the Cobas® Liat CT/NG/MG point-of-care test. METHODS: A prospective, US, multicenter, noninterventional study assessed MG positivity in prospective urine samples (male) and clinician-collected vaginal swabs (female) from symptomatic/asymptomatic patients aged ≥14 years attending various clinical settings. Participants were designated positive or negative for MG, CT, and NG based on combined results from three US Food and Drug Administration-approved assays and one laboratory-developed test. MG co-infection with CT and/or NG was assessed. RESULTS: Among …

Population Genomics And Evolution Of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa, Samara T. Choudhury

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a Gram-negative bacterium ubiquitous in diverse environments and an opportunistic pathogen in humans. It is a leading cause of chronic lung infections in cystic fibrosis patients and of hospital-acquired pneumonia and sepsis. With a large flexible genome and abundant mobile genetic elements, P. aeruginosa exhibits high levels of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), making it a significant public health threat. Evolutionary processes such as homologous recombination, and horizontal gene transfer generate extensive genomic diversity in this species and facilitate the spread of resistance genes. In this dissertation, I investigate the genetic and evolutionary factors shaping P. aeruginosa population structure …

Exploring The Application Of Wastewater Monitoring To Determine The Prevalence And Diversity Of Influenza On The Campus Of West Virginia University, Lakyn Renee Sanders

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Influenza viruses (IV) affect populations globally, with the World Health Organization (WHO) estimating that IV are responsible for an estimated 3-5 million infections and 290,000 – 650,000 deaths annually^1–3. More specifically, the 2019-2020 IV season is associated with an estimated 38 million illnesses and 22,000 deaths in the United States alone⁴. IV are rapidly spread between individuals through direct contact with infected individuals, contaminated surfaces, or aerosolized virus particles². Traditional IV infection monitoring relies on clinical screening of patients presenting influenza-like symptoms, commonly through the use of multi-target panel tests such as the BioFire …

The Role Of Temperature And Carbon Source In Nutrient Acquisition For Peptidoglycan Synthesis In A Gfp-Expressing Borreliella Burgdorferi, Barrett-Anne Conner Briggs

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease in the United States with an estimated yearly incidence rate of more than 300,000 cases. Borreliella burgdorferi, the etiological agent of Lyme disease, is transmitted by the bite of an infected Ixodes scapularis tick and can cause debilitating pathologies affecting numerous body systems. Symptoms include fever, fatigue, joint pain, and a characteristic bull’s eye rash (erythema migrans) at the site of the tick bite. The timely and appropriate use of antibiotics effectively treats early Lyme disease; however, uncomfortable side effects reduce treatment compliance. If left untreated, long-term complications can arise including facial …

Plant Invasion Patterns In Understory And Soil Microbial Communities Of North Central West Virginia Mixed Hardwood Forests, Isabelle Marie Uganski

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Invasive plants alter forest ecosystems by reducing species richness, habitat heterogeneity, and nutrient cycling as they rapidly displace native plants. Invasive plant composition can influence soil health through altering soil microbial associations and communities. By studying the mechanisms in which invasives alter above- and below-ground communities, we can better understand whole-ecosystem impacts and inform management decisions. This study examined the relationships between co-occurring invasion on above and belowground communities of mixed hardwood forests of north central West Virginia. Despite distinctive associations with aboveground characteristics (native diversity, native tree regeneration, and leaf litter density) we detected limited changes to soil microbial …

Development Of Shigella Flexneri Detection Method By Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction Targeting The Sfmd Gene, Muktiningsih Nurjayadi, Puan Aqila Azizah, Agus Setiawan, Ananda Indah Putri Sihombing, Anisa Fitriyanti, Grace Grace, Gusti Angieta Putri, Helzi Angelina, Royna Rahma Musie, Jefferson Lynford Declan, Gladys Indira Putri, Dandy Akbar Juliansyah, Siti Fatimah, Tiara Fahriza, Irma Ratna Kartika, Fera Kurniadewi, Novitasari Novitasari, Bassam Abomoelak, Hesham Ali El Enshasy, Shyi-Tien Chen

Makara Journal of Science

Shigella flexneri can cause shigellosis, which results in high fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or death. This study developed a detection method based on real-time polymerase chain reaction that targets the sfmD gene of S. flexneri given that the virulence factor encoded by this gene is thought to facilitate adhesion to a host surface. The proposed method involves primer design, DNA isolation, the optimization of primer annealing temperature, and confirmation, specificity, and sensitivity tests. A sfmD primer with an amplicon length of 155 bp was annealed to the target DNA at an optimized temperature of 60 ℃ (range 54 °C–62 °C). This …

Seroprevalence And Risk Determinants Of Toxoplasma Gondii Infection In Pregnant Women In Pakistan: A Cross-Sectional Study, Tajul Haram, Kamran Khan

Journal of Bioresource Management

Toxoplasma gondii is a globally important zoonotic parasite, and maternal infection during pregnancy may cause miscarriage, congenital anomalies, or severe neonatal complications. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 367 pregnant women attending hospitals in District Dir Upper, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, to evaluate the seroprevalence of T. gondii and associated risk factors. Blood samples were analyzed using Immunochromatographic Test (ICT) for initial screening, and positive cases were confirmed by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Overall, 34.6 % (127/367) of women tested positive. While no significant differences were observed across age groups, gestational trimesters, or abortion history, higher prevalence was noted in women …

Straw Cover Increases Garden Soil Microbial Biodiversity, Emory Walker, Mara Welty, Emma Creviston

The Journal of Purdue Undergraduate Research

No abstract provided.

A Comparison Of White-Light And Monochromatic Led Sources For Antimicrobial Photodynamic Inactivation Of Staphylococcus Aureus, Emily Simmons

The Journal of Purdue Undergraduate Research

Drug-resistant bacteria are an ongoing public health crisis for which alternative treatments are needed. One alternative is antimicrobial photodynamic inactivation (aPDI), which uses potent photosensitizers and light irradiation to damage the bacteria. Our standard light source used in aPDI is a single-wavelength light source at 405-nm; however, we evaluated a white-light source for similarities in the resulting aPDI activities. This is done by comparing aPDI experiments using S. aureus and its methicillin-resistant strains (MRSA) conducted with either the white LED light source or the 405-nm LED light source. Statistical analysis using t-tests revealed no significant differences in the aPDI activities …

Development Of Broadly Protective Vaccines Against New World Arenaviruses, Brian B. Gowen

Funded Research Records

No abstract provided.

Effects Of Supplemental Led Lighting And Biofertilizer On Yield And Fruit Quality Of Japanese Strawberry Cultivars In Indonesia, Reginawanti Hindersah, Febby Fitriyani, Kenji Endo, Masakazu Nakayama, Syariful Mubarok, Gita Bina Nugraha

Jurnal Kultivasi

Growing strawberries in soilless substrates in the greenhouse relies on fertilizers and supplemental light to boost yield and fruit quality. The research evaluated the properties of the biofertilizer and its effectiveness on the yield of Japanese strawberry cultivars Nanatsuboshi and KS-75 under controlled greenhouse conditions, with and without light-emitting diodes (LED) as supplemental light. The cell viability and plant-growth-promoting properties of a liquid consortium biofertilizer consisting of nitrogen-fixing bacteria and phosphate-solubilizing microbes, were characterized. Laboratory analysis confirmed the biofertilizer's composition, and a greenhouse experiment using a completely randomized design tested treatments of biofertilizer, LED, and their combination. The biofertilizer contained …

The Effects Of Nanobubble Fertigation And Soil Conditioners To Improve Nutrient Dynamics, Soil Microbial Activity, And Chili Productivity, Betty Natalie Fitriatin, Euis Ahah Rokayah, Elsa Naila Elmyra, Tualar Simarmata, Nicky Oktav Fauziah, Hanif Fakhrurroja

Jurnal Kultivasi

Drip fertigation is a fertilization method that integrates nutrient delivery with an irrigation system, which is capable of optimizing the direct delivery of nutrients to the root zone. This experiment aims to investigate the effect of drip fertigation with nanobubble technology, and soil conditioners on the population of Phosphate-Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB) and Azotobacter spp., available phosphorus, total nitrogen, growth, and yield of red chili. The study used a Strip Plot Design with two factors and three replications. The first factor was nutrient application (solid NPK fertilizing as control; drip fertigation; and drip fertigation with nanobubble technology), and the second factor …

Effects Of Integrated Biological And Chemical Fertilization On Pecco And Banji Shoot Development In Tea Plants, Intan Ratna Dewi Anjarsari, Muhammad Raihan Abdillah Farros, Santi Rosniawaty

Jurnal Kultivasi

Tea productivity and quality are largely determined by shoot structure, particularly the balance between pecco shoots (tender buds and young leaves) and banji shoots (older, less productive shoots). Conventional reliance on inorganic fertilizers often enhances overall growth but does not necessarily improve shoot structure, while biofertilizers alone provide limited nutrient availability. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of combining microbial-based liquid biofertilizers with inorganic fertilizers on the structure of tea shoots. The experiment was carried out on seed-derived tea plants using a randomized block design with several fertilization treatments, including sole biofertilizer, sole inorganic fertilizer, and their combinations. The …

Role Of Cellular Stress Responses In Innate Immune Defense Against Acute Respiratory Infections, Amit Sharma

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress sensor inositol-requiring enzyme 1α (IRE1α) is an important regulator of innate immune cells. However, its role in pulmonary innate host defenses remains poorly understood. This dissertation elucidates the dual, context-dependent role of IRE1α in host defense against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) pneumonia. We demonstrate IRE1α’s function as both a detrimental mediator of acute pathology and an essential facilitator of innate immune memory. Our work revealed that acute IRE1α activation during primary MRSA infection is detrimental. In lungs and alveolar macrophages (AMs), IRE1α is activated in response to MRSA infection. Consequently, IRE1α activation triggers a hyperinflammatory …

Microplastic Exposure Alters Tubulin Leading To Alterations In Insulin Secretion By Pancreatic Beta Cells, Anakaren Garcia

Honors Program Theses and Research Projects

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder characterized by elevated blood glucose levels due to impaired insulin secretion or diminished cellular response to insulin (resistance). Pancreatic β-cells depend on a well-organized cytoskeleton, particularly microtubules composed of α- and β-tubulin heterodimers, to transport insulin granules to the plasma membrane during glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS). Disruption of microtubule organization can impair granule trafficking and reduce insulin release. However, emerging environmental toxicants such as microplastics that interfere with β-cell cytoskeletal function remains largely unexplored.

Microplastics (MPs) are small plastic particles (< 5 mm) that have become widespread environmental contaminants and can enter biological systems. Previous studies have shown that MPs can induce cellular stress and protein misfolding, but their effects on microtubules in pancreatic β-cells are not well characterized. This study investigates whether exposure to fluorescent polystyrene microplastics alters microtubule organization and insulin secretion in βTC-6 cells.

βTC-6 cells were treated with 10 µg/mL of fluorescent polystyrene microplastics for …