Detection of Tetracycline Resistance in Soil Bacteria

Document Type

Poster Presentation

Publication Date

4-17-2026

Keywords

fsc2026

Abstract

Through The Prevalence of Antibiotic Resistance in the Environment Project (PARE) through Tufts University, students in Microbiology lab (BIOl333L) have been able to collect and identify tetracycline resistant bacteria from environmental samples across the country. Monitoring antibiotic resistance in the environment on a national level through the PARE project can help us better understand how resistance to antibiotics happens and its effect on humans through the environment. It can also be helpful in learning ways to combat resistance. For independent research last fall I was able to grow 4 different tetracycline resistant bacteria from glycerol stocks and tested them against different antibiotics using a Kirby Bauer assay. It was found that all four of the bacterial samples were resistant to bacitracin and novobiocin and three of the samples were resistant to ampicillin. This suggests that not only are the bacteria we isolated in Microbiology lab resistant to tetracycline but they are likely multi-drug resistant. In order to further characterize the bacterial isolates, for my independent research this semester continued the work I did last fall in identifying the antibiotic resistant bacteria samples found through the PARE project. This past semester I was able to isolate DNA from each of the resistant bacterial samples using a ZymoBIOMIC mini prep kit. With these DNA samples I was also able to compare 16S PCR product of the isolated DNA to 16S PCR of a bacterial colony from which the DNA was isolated. In order to identify the bacterial strains, samples were sent out for sequencing using primers for 16S rRNA. The unknown 16S PCR product was compared to a database, SILVA, of known 16S sequences and their respective organism. Four of the bacterial samples were identified as strains of Pseudomonas, one samples was identified as Enterobacteriaceae, two as Serratia, and one as Yersinia. I was able to verify the identity of the strains of Pseudomonas using CHROMagar Pseudomonas. Other biochemical tests should be performed in order to further confirm the sequencing results. Identification of the bacteria will be contributed to the PARE Project database in an effort to better understand bacterial antibiotic resistance in the environment. The more we understand the better scientists can monitor and prevent the spread of antibiotic resistant bacteria.

Comments

Poster presented at the 2026 Fisher Showcase, St. John Fisher University, April 17, 2026.

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