Science University Research Symposium (SURS)
Publication Date
Fall 11-2022
College
Sciences and Mathematics, College of
Department
Biology, Department of
SURS Faculty Advisor
Darlene Panvini
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Abstract
The overuse of antibiotics has caused an increase in antibiotic-resistant (AR) bacteria, which is a serious public health concern. Previous studies showed a significant correlation between anthropogenic pollution and AR bacteria. This project aims to identify AR bacteria in Richland Creek relative to local anthropogenic pollution. Water samples were collected at four locations along Richland Creek in Nashville, Tennessee. Bacteria resistant to the antibiotic kanamycin were isolated from the water samples, identified to genera using DNA barcoding, and compared among the sites. We expect to see a greater abundance and diversity of kanamycin-resistant bacteria closer to the end than near the head of the creek. This research project can help describe the diversity of AR bacteria species present in the stream in different areas of Nashville and has public health consequences if the disparities in the distribution of AR bacteria correlate to human activity and/or socioeconomic differences along the stream.
Recommended Citation
1Paulson, J. R., Mahmoud, I. Y., Al-Musharafi, S. K., & Al-Bahry, S. N. (2016). Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria in the Environment as Bio-Indicators of Pollution. The Open Biotechnology Journal, 10(1), 342–351. https://doi.org/10.2174/1874070701610010342 2Truong,T.;Hoang,T.L.; Tran, L.T.; Pham, T.P.T.; Le, T.-H. Prevalence of Antibiotic Resistance Genes in the Saigon River Impacted by Anthropogenic Activities. Water 2021,13,2234. https://doi.org/10.3390/w13162234 3Young, S., Juhl, A., & O’Mullan, G. D. (2013). Antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the Hudson River Estuary linked to wet weather sewage contamination. Journal of Water and Health, 11(2), 297–310. https://doi.org/10.2166/wh.2013.131 ps://doi.org/10.2166/wh.2013.131
Included in
Bacteriology Commons, Biodiversity Commons, Environmental Microbiology and Microbial Ecology Commons, Environmental Public Health Commons, Molecular Biology Commons
