Evaluation of Specimen Preparation Methods for Characterization of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis Biofilms
Location
CSU 253/4/5
Start Date
4-4-2011 1:30 PM
End Date
4-4-2011 3:00 PM
Student's Major
Biological Sciences
Student's College
Science, Engineering and Technology
Mentor's Name
Timothy Secott
Mentor's Department
Biological Sciences
Mentor's College
Science, Engineering and Technology
Description
Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (Mpt) is the causative agent of Johne‘s disease, a deadly gastrointestinal disease of ruminants. This disease results in large economic losses for American dairy farmers. Mpt is believed to utilize biofilms to survive in the environment. An understanding of how Mpt biofilms form is needed to prevent the spread of Johne‘s disease. But to understand the formation of Mpt biofilms, it is first necessary to determine the conditions that allow us to best examine Mpt biofilms. Lipids have been identified as the primary component of the extracellular matrix that holds cells together in biofilms formed by other mycobacteria. We will compare cellular and biofilm morphologies in samples prepared for scanning electron microscopy by ethanol dehydration and by lyophilization. It is expected that the lyophilization will yield clearer results regarding the structure of biofilms, including the extracellular matrix, and will limit stress on the biofilm morphology without harming the composition or location of the biofilm cells. We will qualitatively evaluate cell surface integrity, cellular morphology, and extracellular matrix connections between Mpt cells in biofilms. Extracellular matrix composition will be determined using Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy. This will allow us to better characterize biofilm formation by Mpt, which ultimately, will help to limit the impact of Johne‘s disease.
Evaluation of Specimen Preparation Methods for Characterization of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis Biofilms
CSU 253/4/5
Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (Mpt) is the causative agent of Johne‘s disease, a deadly gastrointestinal disease of ruminants. This disease results in large economic losses for American dairy farmers. Mpt is believed to utilize biofilms to survive in the environment. An understanding of how Mpt biofilms form is needed to prevent the spread of Johne‘s disease. But to understand the formation of Mpt biofilms, it is first necessary to determine the conditions that allow us to best examine Mpt biofilms. Lipids have been identified as the primary component of the extracellular matrix that holds cells together in biofilms formed by other mycobacteria. We will compare cellular and biofilm morphologies in samples prepared for scanning electron microscopy by ethanol dehydration and by lyophilization. It is expected that the lyophilization will yield clearer results regarding the structure of biofilms, including the extracellular matrix, and will limit stress on the biofilm morphology without harming the composition or location of the biofilm cells. We will qualitatively evaluate cell surface integrity, cellular morphology, and extracellular matrix connections between Mpt cells in biofilms. Extracellular matrix composition will be determined using Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy. This will allow us to better characterize biofilm formation by Mpt, which ultimately, will help to limit the impact of Johne‘s disease.
Recommended Citation
Barriga, Jose A.. "Evaluation of Specimen Preparation Methods for Characterization of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis Biofilms." Undergraduate Research Symposium, Mankato, MN, April 4, 2011.
https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/urs/2011/poster-session-C/2
