Addition of Predatory Bacteria Decreases the Mortality of C. elegans
Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus (BB) is a gram negative predatory bacteria that uses other gram negative bacteria to proliferate non-binarily. Due to the predatory nature of BB researchers have proposed to use it as a potential biocontrol agent against other gram negative bacteria. The in vivo effect of predatory bacteria on a living host lacks thorough investigation. This paper explores BB inside and outside of the C. elegans. BB acts internally by pre- infecting C. elegans with E. coli and then treating the worms with BB. After BB treatment worm survivavbility increased and morbidity decreased. Ex- ternally, BB modulated the environment around the nematode which reduced infection rates and increased nematode lifespan and survivability. Together, the internal and external results suggest BB has the capability to act as a living antibiotic acting topically and internally to reduce infection rates.
- Author (aut): Stambolic, Milena
- Thesis director: Presse, Steve
- Committee member: Vlcek, Jessi
- Contributor (ctb): Barrett, The Honors College
- Contributor (ctb): Department of Physics
- Contributor (ctb): School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences