Science University Research Symposium (SURS)
Publication Date
12-2022
College
Sciences and Mathematics, College of
Department
Biology, Department of
SURS Faculty Advisor
Darlene Panvini and Chris Barton
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Abstract
Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are becoming more prevalent in soil as humans have increased impacts on the environment. Previous research proposed that earthworms could affect bacteria distribution as soil is ingested and filtered through their bodies. This research aims to see if kanamycin-resistance bacteria is the same in earthworm digestive tracts as in the soil the earthworms inhabit. We expect that the gut contents and soil will vary in the occurrence of kanamycin-resistant bacteria. Earthworms and composted soil samples were collected from compost bins at a residential home in Nashville, Tennessee. Digestive tracts were dissected from the earthworms and homogenized. Kanamycin-resistant bacteria were isolated from the gut contents and soil samples, then identified to genus using DNA barcoding and Sanger sequencing of 16S rDNA. Comparison of the kanamycin-resistant bacteria in the composted soil and earthworms may give insight into the role that earthworms play in the movement of soil antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Recommended Citation
Dooyema, Samantha; Dolan, Martin; and Morse, Abigal, "Comparison of Kanamycin-Resistant Bacteria in Earthworm Digestive Tracts and Soil From Compost Bins" (2022). Science University Research Symposium (SURS). 53.
https://repository.belmont.edu/surs/53
