What’s Behind Gene Number 2658 An analysis of the suspected β-lactamase gene bla 2658 for β-lactamase activity.

Abstract

Elizabethkingia miricola is a gram negative, rod shaped bacteria strain. It was first isolated from the air conditioning condensation on board the Russian space station Mir. The bacteria’s phenotype showed a resistance to a wide variety of β-lactam antibiotics. After sequencing the DNA of the bacteria, computers were able to pinpoint what could be a potential gene for β-lactamase. Through isolation and amplification, we were able to transfer the gene through a vector to E. coli. Then the E. coli was placed onto a nitrocefin capsule, which changed colors to indicate that gene does create a true β-lactamase protein, which cleaves the β-lactam ring located in β-lactam antibiotics.