Antibiotic Resistance Genes Detection in Environmental Samples

Abstract

Our aim is to provide an authentic research experience for undergraduate students in a variety of biology courses through collaboration between a four-year university and a community college. This lab series teaches transferable and universal skills using antibiotic resistance as the focus. Antibiotics have been vital to the treatment of infectious diseases since the late 1940s. Antibiotic resistance has become an increasing concern in the battle against infectious diseases. We focus specifically on detecting a group of ampicillin-resistance genes. In this curricular research experience, students use PCR and gel electrophoresis to detect genes (Bla-1, Bla-SHV, and Bla-TEM) encoding for different ß-lactamases that confer resistance to ampicillin. Through a series of experiments students obtain an understanding of core biological principles including scientific process, cell structure, genetics, the role of the environment, and application of molecular biology techniques while contributing to ongoing primary research. Citation: