Award details

Investigating mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance in food-borne pathogens and developing methods for the study of evolution in biofilms

Reference	BBS/E/F/00044426
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Professor Mark Webber
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors
Institution	Quadram Institute Bioscience
Department	Quadram Institute Bioscience Department
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	238,065
Status	Current
Type	Institute Project
Start date	07/12/2016
End date	31/03/2018
Duration	15 months

Abstract

Background. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a threat to human and animal health, widely recognised as one of the most important challenges facing society today. Extensive evidence has shown that AMR pathogens are present and can be selected for in the food chain and that this has detrimental impacts on animal and human health. Biofilm formation is a major mechanism of persistence and contamination throughout the food chain. However, our understanding of the genetic basis for biofilm formation, evolution and stress survival under food chain relevant conditions is limited. Objectives • To develop a tractable laboratory model to study adaptation in biofilms under food chain relevant stresses • To investigate the evolution of resistance to relevant antibiotics in biofilms Task 1 Adapting a biofilm model to study evolution under stress. We will adapt the ‘bead’ model of biofilm evolution (described by Poltak and Cooper), this model has the advantage of including all the phases of biofilm formation (dissemination, colonisation and maturation) and allows multiple variables to be tested. We will introduce the application of antimicrobial stress to the model and develop protocols for recovery and characterisation of resistant mutants as they emerge within the biofilm. Task 2 Investigating adaptations to life in a biofilm. We will investigate adaptations to AMR in biofilms by exposing representative Salmonella biofilms to prolonged sub-lethal exposure to antimicrobials found in the food chain. We will use the bead-based model that we will optimise in task 1. Biofilms will be iteratively exposed to antibiotics, recovered, stored and characterised for ability to form a biofilm and AMR. Genome sequencing will identify the genetic basis for adaptation under stress. Candidate genes identified will be characterised using standard molecular techniques. Outcomes. A greater appreciation of the biology of biofilm formation and mechanisms of biofilm adaptation under stress.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Not funded via Committee
Research Topics	Microbial Food Safety, Microbiology
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

I accept the terms and conditions of use (opens in new window)

export PDF file

back to list new search