Location
CELA & Mary Church Terrell Library, First Floor
Document Type
Poster - Oberlin Community Only
Start Date
4-25-2025 12:00 PM
End Date
4-25-2025 2:00 PM
Abstract
When considering pathogens, specifically bacterial pathogens, new questions arise as to how we are affected by the pathogenic variability in our built environments. Research efforts in bacterial physiology are integral to preventing human infections and finding new methods of treatment. The investigation aims to identify hundreds of bacterial species cultured from the Oberlin College campus, including the on-campus clinic, to assess their pathogenicity. As part of our methods, we utilize the PCR protocol and 16S sequencing to identify the species’ collected. Through the animal infection model Galleria mellonella (greater wax moth), we present data on the pathogenic potential of these bacterial isolates and attempt to determine differences in the infection mechanisms of these species’. Galleria mellonella is chosen as our model given its similarities to the human innate immune system, making it possible to test immune reactions on a smaller scale. We took potentially pathogenic strains we found in our sampling, Priesta megaterium, Bacillus licheniformis, Mammaliicoccus lentus, and, Mammaliicoccus scuri , strains of bacteria that have been assumed to be non-pathogenic to humans in published literature. Our results indicate that despite their“non-pathogen” status, we observe pathogenic qualities in the Galleria mellonella model.
Keywords:
Pathogenic potential, Infection model, Built environments, Infection mechanisms
Recommended Citation
Ludwig, Abir Julia; Moore, Gaybe; King-O'Brien, Mia; and Conklin, Riley, "Exploring the Pathogenic Potential of Bacterial Strains Isolated from the Oberlin College Campus Using Galleria mellonella as an Infection Model" (2025). Research Symposium. 19.
https://digitalcommons.oberlin.edu/researchsymp/2025/posters/19
Major
Abir Julia Ludwig: Biochemistry
Mia King-O'Brien: Biology
Riley Conklin: Biology
Project Mentor(s)
Gaybe Moore, Biology
2025
Exploring the Pathogenic Potential of Bacterial Strains Isolated from the Oberlin College Campus Using Galleria mellonella as an Infection Model
CELA & Mary Church Terrell Library, First Floor
When considering pathogens, specifically bacterial pathogens, new questions arise as to how we are affected by the pathogenic variability in our built environments. Research efforts in bacterial physiology are integral to preventing human infections and finding new methods of treatment. The investigation aims to identify hundreds of bacterial species cultured from the Oberlin College campus, including the on-campus clinic, to assess their pathogenicity. As part of our methods, we utilize the PCR protocol and 16S sequencing to identify the species’ collected. Through the animal infection model Galleria mellonella (greater wax moth), we present data on the pathogenic potential of these bacterial isolates and attempt to determine differences in the infection mechanisms of these species’. Galleria mellonella is chosen as our model given its similarities to the human innate immune system, making it possible to test immune reactions on a smaller scale. We took potentially pathogenic strains we found in our sampling, Priesta megaterium, Bacillus licheniformis, Mammaliicoccus lentus, and, Mammaliicoccus scuri , strains of bacteria that have been assumed to be non-pathogenic to humans in published literature. Our results indicate that despite their“non-pathogen” status, we observe pathogenic qualities in the Galleria mellonella model.
Notes
Presenters: Abir Julia Ludwig, Mia King-O'Brien, and Riley Conklin