Discipline: Biological Sciences
Subcategory: Cell and Molecular Biology
Brendalis Camacho - Rochester Institute of Technology
Co-Author(s): Robert Osgood, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY
Streptococcus mutans (S.mutans) is a member of the mutans streptococci group and exists in four serotypes, c,e,f, and recently discovered, k. S.mutans serotype k, due to its resistance to phagocytosis and ability to readily form biofilm on heart valves, represents a risk of a blood stream infection and/or endocarditis. Surprisingly, very little is known about the character of biofilm formation of S.mutans serotype k. Crystal violet biofilm assays using saliva-coated 96-well plates to mimic the salivary pellicle of human teeth, were performed on three clinical isolates of S.mutans serotype k and one serotype c strain for comparison. Three plates of multiple replicates at various pH points were used to study biofilm formation under aerobic, microaerophilic and anaerobic conditions. Our results indicate that microaerophilic and anaerobic conditions are favored over aerobic conditions over a pH range of 6 to 8. These findings represent the first of our biofilm investigations.
Funder Acknowledgement(s): LSAMP at Rochester Institute of Technology
Faculty Advisor: Robert Osgood,