Abstracts Category : Other

Add abstract

Want to add your dissertation abstract to this database? It only takes a minute!

Search abstract

Search for abstracts by subject, author or institution

Share this abstract

How efflux pumps affect the sensitivity of Escherichia coli biofilms to antibiotics

by Gemma Deakin

Institution: University of Western Sydney
Year: 2017
Keywords: Escherichia coli; biofilms; antibiotics; proteins; physiological transport; drug resistance in microorganisms; Thesis (M.Res.) Western Sydney University, 2017
Posted: 02/01/2018
Record ID: 2166636
Full text PDF: http://hdl.handle.net/1959.7/uws:44003


Abstract

Bacterial biofilms are an important and clinically significant growth state of bacteria. The relationship between bacterial antibiotic resistance, including the ability of a bacterial strain to resist multiple drug types, and biofilms is not well established. This research project aimed to examine efflux pumps in Escherichia coli biofilms and how they influence the antibiotic sensitivity of a biofilm. This was done with the use of two efflux pump assays, the Nile red real time assay and the Hoechst 33342 assay with comparisons to biofilm viability. The efflux pump assays implemented were modified for use on E. coli biofilms. Efflux pump inhibitors (EPI) were used in conjunction with antibiotic treatments to determine their effect on efflux pumps activity in the biofilm and cell viability. Well-established EPIs of the AcrABTolC pump, CCCP and PAN, were used in this research along with the novel inhibitor, capsaicin. The effects of efflux pump inhibitors and antibiotics on efflux pump transporter proteins were tested using single gene deletion mutants. The data collected suggested that the efflux pump activity of E. coli biofilm cells behaves differently to planktonic cells; biofilms appear not as active as planktonic cells. In efflux pump assays, capsaicin behaved similarly to PAN, a competitive substrate inhibitor and was less toxic to the E. coli biofilm, PAN in combination with antibiotics was the most effective at E. coli biofilm eradication, however it has been reported to have toxic side effects. Capsaicin is currently used pharmacologically and it therefore is a potentially clinically significant EPI. Further, the research suggests that the effects of the sum of the many efflux pumps of E. coli results in the antibiotic resistance of the biofilm, minimising the apparent significance of any single efflux transporter.Advisors/Committee Members: Western Sydney University, School of Science and Health (Host institution).

Add abstract

Want to add your dissertation abstract to this database? It only takes a minute!

Search abstract

Search for abstracts by subject, author or institution

Share this abstract

Featured Books

Book cover thumbnail image
Electric Cooperative Managers' Strategies to Enhan...
by White, Michael Edward
   
Book cover thumbnail image
Bullied! Coping with Workplace Bullying
by Gattis, Vanessa M.
   
Book cover thumbnail image
The Filipina-South Floridian International Interne... Agency, Culture, and Paradox
by Haley, Pamela S.
   
Book cover thumbnail image
Solution or Stalemate? Peace Process in Turkey, 2009-2013
by Yurtbay, Baturay
   
Book cover thumbnail image
Performance, Managerial Skill, and Factor Exposure...
by Avci, S. Burcu
   
Book cover thumbnail image
The Deritualization of Death Toward a Practical Theology of Caregiving for the ...
by Gibson, Charles Lynn
   
Book cover thumbnail image
Emotional Intelligence and Leadership Styles Exploring the Relationship between Emotional Intel...
by Olagundoye, Eniola O.
   
Book cover thumbnail image
Commodification of Sexual Labor Contribution of Internet Communities to Prostituti...
by Young, Jeffrey R.
   
Book cover thumbnail image
The Census of Warm Debris Disks in the Solar Neigh...
by Patel, Rahul I.
   
Book cover thumbnail image
Risk Factors and Business Models Understanding the Five Forces of Entrepreneurial R...
by Miles, D. Anthony