Investigating microbial nutrient sharing based on amino acid sharing and population densities
Author:
Delaney Gordan ’26Co-Authors:
Katelyn CallahanFaculty Mentor(s):
Janani Hariharan, BiologyFunding Source:
Bucknell Biology DepartmentAbstract
Within microbial communities, many microbes rely on cooperation with each other to survive. One relationship is cross-feeding, where one species provides nutrients for the other. This study investigates the sharing of the amino acid methionine between Priestia megaterium QMB1551, a natural producer of methionine, and methionine auxotrophic mutant strains of Escherichia coli (MG1655 ΔmetE and MG1655 ΔmetEmetH). This project explores the presence and dynamics of the cross-feeding interaction between P. megaterium and E. coli. Additionally, we will study how population densities impacts their relationship to help uncover if it is altruistic, mutualistic, or parasitic. The findings from this project will provide insight into the ecological drivers behind microbial relationships and cooperation.