Emerging Researchers National (ERN) Conference

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The Effect of Metallic Nanoparticles on Nasopharyngeal Colonization

Undergraduate #115
Discipline: Biological Sciences
Subcategory: Microbiology/Immunology/Virology

Charles Walker - Talladega College
Co-Author(s): Mamie T. Coats, Veolanda Peoples, and Flamoun Johnson, Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL


Colonization and indefatigability in the human nasopharynx are essential for Streptococcus pneumoniae. The human nasopharynx is colonized with many different bacterial species in addition to S. pneumoniae. It is known that changing the organisms that make up the normal flora of the nasopharynx are in a delicate balance and any challenges to this balance increases the likelihood of infection by bacteria that are not naturally part of this niche. Gold nanoparticles (AuNP) have received much attention for inclusion in pharmaceuticals. The effect of these nanoparticles on the normal flora within the nasopharynx has not been examined. Our goal was to examine the effect of AuNP on virulence gene expression in S. pneumoniae. Of eight gene primers tested, five were able to amplify targeted genes in S. pneumoniae strain EF3030. The highest concentration of AuNP that was found not to cause changes in the growth of S. pneumoniae was 1µg/mL. Future studies will examine the expression of the identified genes in the presence of AuNP.

Funder Acknowledgement(s): This work was supported by NSFREU (DBI-1358923) to Dr. Komal Vig (PI) and by NSFCREST (HRD1241701) to Dr. Mamie T Coats (PI).

Faculty Advisor: Mamie T. Coats,

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This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) under Grant No. DUE-1930047. Any opinions, findings, interpretations, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of its authors and do not represent the views of the AAAS Board of Directors, the Council of AAAS, AAAS’ membership or the National Science Foundation.