Master's Theses

Department

Biology

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Abstract

Fatty acid methyl ester analysis (FAME), scanning electron microscopy, and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis were used to partially characterize an apparently unique bacterium isolated from the environment. The first 500 base pairs of the approximately 1,500 base pair 16S rRNA gene were sequenced and analyzed by MIDI Labs (Newark, Delaware). The entire 16S rRNA gene was then sequenced at Fort Hays State University (FHSU) and the sequence from this organism was compared to all sequences in the GenBank database. The first 500 base pairs of the sequence data from FHSU and the sequence data collected by MIDI Labs were identical. The data from these two sequences indicated that this organism might be a new species within the genus Brevibacillus. The FAME analysis performed by MIDI also indicated that this organism may be a new species in the same genus. Light microscopy revealed that this organism was a Gram-positive spore forming bacillus. The 16S rRNA sequence and FAME analysis demonstrated that this organism could be a previously undescribed species within known genera. This Gram-positive organism was shown to be a close relative of Brevibacillus laterosporous. B. laterosporous produces a parasporal body that is canoe-shaped and appears to cradle the spore (Zahner et.al. 1999), Scanning electron microscopy allowed me to determine the fine details of cellular morphology of this new isolate including the canoe-shaped parasporal body.

Advisor

Eric Gillock

Date of Award

Spring 2005

Document Type

Thesis - campus only access

Rights

© The Author(s)

Comments

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