An Exploration of Inhibition Against Coral and Human Pathogens
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Emma Lopez
Presenter(s): Emma Lopez
A multitude of factors are severely threatening coral populations around the world. Anthropogenic disturbances, like climate change and pollution, are notable contributors. Changing the natural environmental conditions in which coral grows increases its susceptibility to disease. Thus, developing novel strategies to mitigate coral disease is becoming more and more urgent. Coral-associated microbes may present promising solutions to this disease threat. In this study, we aim to discover coral-associated microbial isolates that may exhibit antimicrobial activity against suspected coral pathogens. Furthermore, this threat of disease is translatable to the rising development of antibiotic-resistant pathogens targeting human populations. Given this, our study also evaluates inhibition against a surrogate strain for a clinically-relevant human pathogen, Klebsiella pneumoniae. We have developed an antimicrobial screening methodology, involving a microbial spotting technique, to visualize isolates that exhibit inhibition against the select pathogen target. Inhibition will be determined by an observable alteration in the target growth directly surrounding the isolate spot. Ultimately, by exploring possible microbial strategies for disease mitigation, this work will open doors to future experimental developments to protect coral and human health.