Novel Bacterial Isolates that Antagonize Human Pathogens and Could Lead to New Probiotics

Brooklyn Butcher*, Seth Conley* and Matthew Williams, Department of Biology, West Virginia University Institute of Technology, Beckley, WV, 25801

Field (Broad Category): Biology (Biological & Biochemical Sciences) 

Student’s Major: Biology 

Several human diseases are caused by pathogens such as bacteria. Antibiotics revolutionized the treatment of infectious diseases and have saved countless lives. Unfortunately, many pathogens are not susceptible to treatment with antibiotics and many that are have started becoming resistant to antibiotic treatment. A probiotic is a living organism that is introduced into an ecosystem for some beneficial outcome. In humans probiotic microorganisms are often introduced to promote health. Many probiotics are bacteria, but rather than being harmful they are a species or strain that is beneficial. It has been shown that probiotics can be useful in treating many diseases. Probiotics can be used to create a good flora of bacteria making it harder for pathogenic bacteria to survive. If this is the case the probiotic bacteria are termed to be antagonistic against the pathogens. The purpose of this current study was to isolate bacteria from novel sources to determine whether they could be antagonistic against specific human pathogens. In vitro antagonism assays were performed against eight human pathogens. Several novel isolates were found to antagonize and prevent growth of many human pathogens. Select isolates were then identified via 16S genetic sequencing. Novel strains of Pseudomonas fluorescens, Bacillus mycoides, and Bacillus cereus were determined to prevent growth of several human pathogens. These isolates have the potential to serve as novel probiotics in preventing and treating human infections. 

Funding: West Virginia University Institute of Technology 

Program/mechanism supporting research/creative efforts: WVU 497-level course