Poster abstracts
Poster number 118 submitted by Tristan Sanford
Optimization and Quantification of Biofilm Produced by Escherichia coli K12 for Selection of DNA Aptamers
Tristan Sanford (Department of Chemistry, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Edwardsville, IL 62026), Elliot Clerc (Department of Chemistry, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Edwardsville, IL 62026), Mina Sumita (Department of Chemistry, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Edwardsville, IL 62026)
Abstract:
Our main research interest is the development of a biosensor that detects foodborne pathogens by using DNA aptamers for food safety. Bacteria, when stationary, can adhere to a surface and begin to form a biofilm. A biofilm is a thin, slimy layer of aggregated bacteria that is utilized as a networking system to transfer nutrients and act as a defense mechanism. The substance encompassing the bacteria and responsible for these actions is the extracellular polymeric substance (EPS). The biofilm is also a threat to food safety because the biofilm makes the bacterial colony stronger and more resistant to sanitization. The focus of my research project is to identify a DNA aptamer for the biofilm and compare with the recently identified DNA aptamer for E. coli K12 in the lab by SPR-cell-SELEX. The production of biofilm formation using Escherichia coli K12 is also optimized at different growth periods.
Keywords: Biofilm, Aptamer, SELEX