38th Annual Student Research Conference
Effects of Assay Conditions on Patterning in Bacillus subtilis Swarming
Matthew Huemann
Dr. Joyce Patrick, Faculty Mentor
Swarming is a surface-based collective motility driven by flagellar activity and cell-cell interactions. The surface needs to have a low enough viscosity for bacteria to effectively swarm and the amount of water on the surface along with production of surfactant can have an effect on swarming. Under standard conditions, Bacillus subtilis swarms uniformly, expanding rapidly across the surface. Variations in agar depth altered swarm patterning, with lower depths producing concentring rings, a pattern not formerly recognized to occur in in B. subtilis . Differing agar volumes may contribute to increased water loss to evaporation and viscosity of the agar surface, Which in turn affects the rate at which swarming occurs and the patterning exhibited.
Keywords: Microbiology, Swarming, Agar, Bacillus subitilis, Swarm Patterning
Topic(s):Biology
Presentation Type: Oral Presentation
Session: 207-3
Location: MG 2001
Time: 10:45