E. miricola’s β-lactamase Genes, A antibiotic resistant bacterium from space?

Abstract

In this experiment, the bacteria Elizabethkingia miricola was cloned into E. coli cells using PCR and heat shock treatment to test for the specific β-lactamase gene E.mir_ATCC33958_bla4255|putative SBL. The nitrocefin colorimetric assay confirmed that this gene did survive and multiply after PCR and heat shock, as well as being suspended in media containing Kantamyacin. The assay also concluded that the gene is in fact a β-lactamase, and is therefore resistant to certain antibiotics. The next step in this line of experimenting would be to test the gene for the specific antibiotics to which it is resistant.