The purpose of this study is to research the identification (ID) of existing antibiotics (ABX), and potentially find new ABX from bacterium within soil to act against ESKAPE pathogens (E. faecium, S. aureus, K. pneumoniae, A. baumannii, P. aeruginosa, and Enterobacter). These are responsible for hospital infections due to ABX resistance of the pathogens. Research has been focused on finding new ABX producers, with a focus on soil. Within the sample that is tested, it is hypothesized that bacteria present may emit ABX in order to reduce competition. Studying this can result in the discovery of new ABX created by the safe relatives of the ESKAPE pathogens. A total of 1.00 gram of soil from Potawatomi State Park was used and diluted, then applied to spread plates of Potato Dextrose Agar and 10% Tryptic Soy Agar. After culturing for 2-7 days, the bacteria were transferred to 15 master plates of the same media to isolate colonies and monitor for AB production. 10 AB producers were identified. Sanger sequencing was used to determine the nucleotide sequence of the bacterial DNA, which allows for the ID of bacterial community composition. Staining was used to determine the composition of gram-negative and gram-positive bacterial species. By obtaining and isolating such bacteria, the dominating bacterial species were determined as well as the different colonies which emit ABX living within the Potawatomi soil. In conclusion, the findings that we will obtain will allow for ID of the safe-relatives of ESKAPE pathogens from soil to further research into these deadly pathogens.
