Research Enya Arconada Nuin

Abstract

People are frequently exposed to bacteria in the urban environment. Kitchen sinks within the urban environment harbour a wide variety of bacteria, potentially leading to increased risks of food contamination. Studies on the microbial community in domestic and institutional kitchen sinks, including characterization of antimicrobial resistance and biofilms, is often limited by low sample numbers or sequencing depth upon metagenomics analysis. Given the increasing population density in Flanders and the need to provide safe food, extensive characterisation of the sink microbiome is necessary. In this FWO SB-Beurs titled POEMBAKterie, I will use a Citizen Science approach to investigate the kitchen sink (or in Antwerp dialect "Poembak") microbiome on a large scale in Antwerp. Participants from households and various institutions (e.g. schools, retirement homes) will respond to a survey, swab their own kitchen sink and return the samples to our lab. I will use a combination of state-of-the-art metagenomic approaches and wet-lab microbiological analyses to investigate the taxonomy, presence of pathogens, antimicrobial resistance and biofilm formation in the presence of detergents and on different materials. Results will shed light on the bacteria living in sinks within the urban environment, and the implications for food safety, cleaning practices and sink design.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Van Puyvelde Sandra
• Co-promoter: de Bruijn Gert-Jan
• Fellow: Arconada Nuin Enya

Research team(s)

• Laboratory of Medical Microbiology (LMM)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Bacterial genomics is a flourishing research field, in which relatedness is assessed by genetic variation between bacterial strains. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are typically used as the sole source of genetic variation. However, there is likely much variation between bacteria that is currently overlooked. In this project, the role of DNA satellites during bacterial evolution will be studied. Hereto, DNA satellites will be systematically identified in Salmonella Typhimurium and across the bacterial kingdom. Thereafter, the dynamics of DNA satellites and SNPs during evolution will be assessed. Finally, the effect on the cellular transcriptome response will be measured and compared between DNA satellites and SNPs. Together, this study will provide a comprehensive view on the role of DNA satellites during bacterial evolution and shed a novel perspective on bacterial genetics.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Van Puyvelde Sandra
• Fellow: Arconada Nuin Enya

Research team(s)

• Laboratory of Medical Microbiology (LMM)

Project type(s)

• Research Project