Department
Biological Sciences
Major
Biological Sciences
Research Advisor
Westenberg, David J.
Advisor's Department
Biological Sciences
Funding Source
Biological Sciences Department
Abstract
This current research project focuses on the use of cell-to-cell communication in Bacterial Strain competition, specifically in soybean plants. Soybean plants are a high-yield crop produced here in the midwest, bringing in more than 8 billion dollars in monetary output for our state. The lab work focuses on one specific bacteria strain farmers commonly find in soybeans; this is called Bradyrhizobium japonicum. This nitrogen-fixing bacteria improves plant growth drastically. Cells have a way of communicating with each other in order to share information and adjust gene regulation accordingly. This is known as quorum sensing. My research last year focused on characterizing the signal molecules they use to communicate; now, we want to test and see if quorum sensing affects the efficiency of different strains. The lab procedures focus on finding genetic differences between positive and negative quorum-sensing strains and comparing their competitiveness with each other, as opposed to just identifying and sizing the molecules. In previous studies, we showed that certain strains of B. japonicum produce traditional quorum-sensing molecules called homoserine lactones (HSLs) using an indicator bacterium called Agrobacterium tumefaciens. However, even though most strains possess genes that should be capable of producing HSL or HSL-like molecules, they do not produce HSLs that can be detected by the A. tumefa.
Biography
Amelia Markwell is a current Undergraduate Student at Missouri S& T, majoring in Biological Sciences. She has been working in Dr. Westenberg's lab since she was a freshman and is involved in various campus extra curriculars including SCRUBS, HELIX, the Student Union Board, and more. Originally from Seattle, WA, Amelia graduated from Mary Institute and St. Louis Country Day School in the Spring of 2022 and hopes to continue her education in Medical School after her bachelor's degree. Outside of the classroom, Amelia enjoys playing in Viola in the Missouri S& T Orchestra, and can often be seen walking her Beagle, Winston around campus. In her free time, she enjoys reading, cooking, and volunteering.
Research Category
Sciences
Presentation Type
OURE Fellows Proposal Oral Applicant
Document Type
Poster
Location
Innovation Forum - 1st Floor Innovation Lab
Presentation Date
10 April 2024, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Included in
A New Genetic Tool for Quorum-Sensing Ba
Innovation Forum - 1st Floor Innovation Lab
This current research project focuses on the use of cell-to-cell communication in Bacterial Strain competition, specifically in soybean plants. Soybean plants are a high-yield crop produced here in the midwest, bringing in more than 8 billion dollars in monetary output for our state. The lab work focuses on one specific bacteria strain farmers commonly find in soybeans; this is called Bradyrhizobium japonicum. This nitrogen-fixing bacteria improves plant growth drastically. Cells have a way of communicating with each other in order to share information and adjust gene regulation accordingly. This is known as quorum sensing. My research last year focused on characterizing the signal molecules they use to communicate; now, we want to test and see if quorum sensing affects the efficiency of different strains. The lab procedures focus on finding genetic differences between positive and negative quorum-sensing strains and comparing their competitiveness with each other, as opposed to just identifying and sizing the molecules. In previous studies, we showed that certain strains of B. japonicum produce traditional quorum-sensing molecules called homoserine lactones (HSLs) using an indicator bacterium called Agrobacterium tumefaciens. However, even though most strains possess genes that should be capable of producing HSL or HSL-like molecules, they do not produce HSLs that can be detected by the A. tumefa.
