Temperature-Driven Changes in Lysis Kinetics of Bacteriophages Infecting Gordonia rubripertincta

Temperature-Driven Changes in Lysis Kinetics of Bacteriophages Infecting Gordonia rubripertincta

Alvin Sherman Library

Antibiotic resistance represents a significant global health crisis creating a necessity for alternative treatments to combat drug-resistant pathogens. One alternative treatment is bacteriophages, such as those targeting Gordonia rubripertincta, a gram-positive, aerobic actinomycete bacterium which has shown intrinsic resistance to some antibiotics. Furthermore, G. rubripertincta can cause endocarditis and CNS infections in immunocompromised individuals. Phages that successfully target G. rubripertincta (Alyssamiracle, Fribs8, Genamy16, and NovaSharks) have been discovered by NSU students. The phages work in a lytic manner, bursting the bacteria and releasing its viral progeny. The goal of this research was to evaluate the lysis kinetics of these phages at different temperatures. Specifically, we wanted to determine the optimal lysis time and multiplicity of infection (MOI) of these phages at 30°C and 37°C (human body temperature). G. rubripertincta was grown with different amounts of phage. The absorbance readings were taken from triplicate trials using a 96-well microplate reader at OD600 every 10 min for a total of 37 h. Results showed that the higher MOI, the quicker the lysis times. Faster lysis times were detected at 37°C, ranging between 4.7-6 h. To determine the effects of MOI on G. rubripertincta's post lysis growth, the growth rates were measured at 30°C and will be measured at 37°C. The growth rate after lysis showed that the higher the MOI, the higher the growth rate, suggesting a faster recovery possibly due to resistant bacteria emerging. These finding can aid in the development of more effective phage therapy.