Impact of pyoverdin siderophores extracted from Pseudomonas aeruginosa on bacterial adhesion to metal oxide surfaces

CHED 322

Stephanie M Proctor, proctors1@nku.edu1, Hazel A Barton, bartonh@nku.edu2, and Heather A. Bullen, bullenh1@nku.edu1. (1) Department of Chemistry, Northern Kentucky University, Nunn Dr, Highland Heights, KY 41099, (2) Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Kentucky University, Nunn Dr, SC 204, Highland Heights, KY 41099
Formation of biofilms is particularly important in many industrial and medical settings. Biofilms form when a collection of microorganisms, such as bacteria,immobilize on a surface. Early stages of biofilm adhesion do not account for chemical reactions occurring at the surface of a substrate. This research utilizes HPLC, attenuated total reflectance infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and fluorescence to evaluate the role of siderophores, iron sequestering ligands produced by most bacteria, in the initial biofilm formation. The affinity of siderophores for other metals and their role in bacterial adhesion is relatively unclear. The isolation of pyoverdin (a catecholate siderohpore produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and its interaction with various metal oxide substrates are presented here. Comparison studies between wild type P. aeruginosa and a pvdS mutant, which does not express pyoverdin, provide further insight into ascertaining the role of siderophores in the adhesion process.

 

Undergraduate Research Poster Session: Analytical Chemistry
11:00 AM-1:00 PM, Monday, March 26, 2007 Hyatt Regency Chicago -- Riverside Center, Poster

Division of Chemical Education

The 233rd ACS National Meeting, Chicago, IL, March 25-29, 2007