32nd Annual Student Research Conference
Effect of Pesticides on Biofilm Formation and Motility of B. subtilis in vitro
Jen Amstutz*, Jack A. Carnduff, and Benjamin Fry
Dr. Joyce Patrick, Faculty Mentor
Bacillus subtilis is a Gram positive bacteria that is found in soil and thought to have a symbiotic association with plant roots. Establishment of this relationship requires swarming motility and biofilm formation. Plant roots with B. subtilis biofilms may be protected from colonization by bacterial pathogens. Both swarming motility and biofilm formation require cell-to-cell signalling among B. subtilis cells. Many bacterial symbionts of plants also communicate with the plant via chemical signals. Pesticides could act as chemical signals that influence bacterial behavior; this research investigates the effect of three common pesticides, Malathion, Neem oil, and Pyrethrin, on the in vitro swarming and biofilm behavior of B. subtilis.
Keywords: Bacillus subtilis, biofilm, swarming, Pesticides, Malathion, Neem oil, Pyrethrin, soil
Topic(s):Biology
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: 8-15
Location: SUB GEO
Time: 3:00