Determination of the Genomic Location of the tetB Gene of Escherichia coli Isolated from Black’s Run
Document Type
Honors Project
First Advisor
Dr. Stephen Baron
Degree Award Date
Spring 2014
Keywords
Genomic Location, tetB Gene, Escherichia coli, Black’s Run, horizontal gene transfer
Disciplines
Analytical Chemistry | Bacterial Infections and Mycoses | Chemistry
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance has emerged recently as a major problem on a worldwide scale. Diseases caused by pathogens are becoming more difficult to treat due to many pathogens having resistances to one or more antibiotic. The majority of resistances are acquired via horizontal gene transfer which is the transfer of genes between two different species. The tetB gene encodes part of a tetracycline efflux pump which confers tetracycline resistance. Previously, we isolated a tetracycline-resistant strain of Escherichia coli from an industrial watershed known as Black’s Run. We detected the tetB gene in this strain, using a colony polymerase chain reaction method (PCR). The purpose of this study is to determine whether tetB in this strain is located on a plasmid or on the chromosome. First, chromosomal DNA and plasmid DNA were isolated using commercial kits, further purified by agarose gel electrophoresis, and subjected to PCR to detect tetB. The tetB gene was found to be located on the chromosome of this strain of E. coli.
Recommended Citation
Whatley, Vivian A., "Determination of the Genomic Location of the tetB Gene of Escherichia coli Isolated from Black’s Run" (2014). Honors Projects. 906.
https://digitalcommons.bridgewater.edu/honors_projects/906