Category
Poster - Theoretical Proposal
Description
Early amphibian development often occurs in a hostile environment, abundant with potential predators and pathogens. While it is known that amphibian eggs are protected physically by 5-8 layers of glycoprotein jelly, additional protection mechanisms used against water pathogens are largely unknown. Previous research in our lab has indicated that amphibian eggs exhibit a unique microbiome on the egg surface which is distinct from the surrounding environment. This uniqueness may indicate defensive, rather than offensive, resistance by developing eggs to microbes. A recent series of experiments in our lab to observe a defensive/offensive response have not provided clarity. This project is proposing two more novel attempts to elucidate the effects of potential antimicrobial chemicals released from developing amphibian eggs to microbes. First, two species of amphibians, White’s Tree Frog (Litoria caerulea) eggs in captivity and Wood Frog (Lithobates sylvaticus) eggs from the wild, will be concentrated via a lyophilized method, rehydrated, and placed onto a paper disk assay. Microbes from the water in which the eggs are laid will be cultured and isolated so that we can test for a zone of inhibition in response to microbes from the concentrated chemicals released from eggs. It is hypothesized that the concentrated eggs on the paper disks will show zones of inhibition to pond water microbiota. Second, we will characterize the microbiota in water based upon proximity to wild amphibian eggs (Lithobates sylvaticus). It is hypothesized that the water samples in close proximity to the egg masses will have a lower density and/or diversity of microbiota than those that are further away from the egg masses in the same body of water. Our hope is that these experiments provide a better understanding of the mechanisms by which amphibian eggs in water are designed to resist advances of pathogenic microbes.
Investigating Antimicrobial Properties Released from Developing Amphibian Eggs
Poster - Theoretical Proposal
Early amphibian development often occurs in a hostile environment, abundant with potential predators and pathogens. While it is known that amphibian eggs are protected physically by 5-8 layers of glycoprotein jelly, additional protection mechanisms used against water pathogens are largely unknown. Previous research in our lab has indicated that amphibian eggs exhibit a unique microbiome on the egg surface which is distinct from the surrounding environment. This uniqueness may indicate defensive, rather than offensive, resistance by developing eggs to microbes. A recent series of experiments in our lab to observe a defensive/offensive response have not provided clarity. This project is proposing two more novel attempts to elucidate the effects of potential antimicrobial chemicals released from developing amphibian eggs to microbes. First, two species of amphibians, White’s Tree Frog (Litoria caerulea) eggs in captivity and Wood Frog (Lithobates sylvaticus) eggs from the wild, will be concentrated via a lyophilized method, rehydrated, and placed onto a paper disk assay. Microbes from the water in which the eggs are laid will be cultured and isolated so that we can test for a zone of inhibition in response to microbes from the concentrated chemicals released from eggs. It is hypothesized that the concentrated eggs on the paper disks will show zones of inhibition to pond water microbiota. Second, we will characterize the microbiota in water based upon proximity to wild amphibian eggs (Lithobates sylvaticus). It is hypothesized that the water samples in close proximity to the egg masses will have a lower density and/or diversity of microbiota than those that are further away from the egg masses in the same body of water. Our hope is that these experiments provide a better understanding of the mechanisms by which amphibian eggs in water are designed to resist advances of pathogenic microbes.
Comments
Undergraduate