Discovering PCR Methods to Identify Pathogens
Location
Turner Gymnasium
Access Type
Campus Access Only
Start Date
4-17-2024 12:00 PM
End Date
4-17-2024 1:15 PM
College
College of Health Sciences
Department
Biology
Abstract
Tick borne diseases are pathogens that are found and transmitted from ticks to other organisms. Lone Star ticks and Deer ticks are some of the most common ticks found in Lynchburg, Virginia. Lone Star ticks can carry Ehrlichiosis, while the Deer ticks can carry Lyme disease. Ehrlichiosis is caused by bacteria called Ehrlichia chaffeensis and Ehrlichia ewingii. Lyme disease is caused by bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi. Each of these bacteria have certain DNA regions that are able to be amplified and identified which allows a positive identification. The objective was to find a reliable method to indicate and identify pathogens in ticks through PCR processes. Ticks were collected to extract their DNA and amplify a certain region of DNA to identify if Ehrlichia chaffeensis and Borrelia burgdorferi were present through primers in a PCR. Different potential primers were identified and tested to find one that would accurately identify the presence of the disease’s bacterial DNA. The certain region was indicated by using a gel electrophoresis to identify what pathogen was present. These results allowed a protocol to be made to be used in BIOL 114: Cells Perspective as a way to teach students methodology in PCR and gel electrophoresis.
Faculty Mentor(s)
Dr. Jamie Brooks Mrs. Kimberly Geier
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Discovering PCR Methods to Identify Pathogens
Turner Gymnasium
Tick borne diseases are pathogens that are found and transmitted from ticks to other organisms. Lone Star ticks and Deer ticks are some of the most common ticks found in Lynchburg, Virginia. Lone Star ticks can carry Ehrlichiosis, while the Deer ticks can carry Lyme disease. Ehrlichiosis is caused by bacteria called Ehrlichia chaffeensis and Ehrlichia ewingii. Lyme disease is caused by bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi. Each of these bacteria have certain DNA regions that are able to be amplified and identified which allows a positive identification. The objective was to find a reliable method to indicate and identify pathogens in ticks through PCR processes. Ticks were collected to extract their DNA and amplify a certain region of DNA to identify if Ehrlichia chaffeensis and Borrelia burgdorferi were present through primers in a PCR. Different potential primers were identified and tested to find one that would accurately identify the presence of the disease’s bacterial DNA. The certain region was indicated by using a gel electrophoresis to identify what pathogen was present. These results allowed a protocol to be made to be used in BIOL 114: Cells Perspective as a way to teach students methodology in PCR and gel electrophoresis.