Title
Test of Key Pathways in Protective Bacteria Against a Deadly Fungal Pathogen Using Blanchard's Cricket Frogs
Document Type
Poster
Publication Date
5-2020
Disciplines
Biology
Abstract
The fungal pathogen Batrochochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) has been threatening amphibian populations across the globe. Recent work has discovered that bacteria isolated from certain populations of amphibians are able to protect hosts from this pathogen. This project focuses on the anti-fungal mechanisms of Serratia marcescens, a species of bacteria our laboratory has isolated from a Costa Rican frog that has proven to dramatically inhibit Bd in culture. Wild-type and recombinant S. marcescens was introduced to the microbiomes of a live amphibian host, Acris blanchardi (Blanchard’s Cricket Frog) and then challenged with Bd to examine the protective effects of this bacteria. The experiment includes recombinant S. marcescens with key genetic pathways removed to allow us to determine which genetic mechanisms are utilized in its defense against Bd. These efforts will aid in the future conservation of amphibian species worldwide.
First Advisor
Jacob Kerby
Research Area
Biology
Recommended Citation
Schmidt, Emme, "Test of Key Pathways in Protective Bacteria Against a Deadly Fungal Pathogen Using Blanchard's Cricket Frogs" (2020). IdeaFest. 141.
https://red.library.usd.edu/idea/141