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The Effects of Quorum Sensing on the Phenotypes of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Bacteria Cells Within a Biofilm

Bissell, Stephanie

Abstract Details

2011, Master of Science, University of Akron, Mathematics.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic, gram-negative bacteria that targets individuals with compromised immune systems. This deadly bacteria is extremely resistant to antibiotics due to its ability to utilize quorum sensing to alter the phenotypes of its cells. The model presented uses advection equations to describe the mixture of down-regulated, up-regulated, inert, and persister P. aeruginosa phenotypes within a biofilm. Diffusion equations are used to model soluble components of a biofilm, including the signaling molecules needed for quorum sensing. We assume that the conversion between down-regulated and up-regulated phenotypes is controlled by extracellular signaling molecules reaching a critical level. We also assume that the conversion between up-regulated and persister phenotypes depends on the concentration of nutrients within the biofilm. The work presented in this paper shows that by increasing the rates of conversion between down-regulated and upregulated phenotypes, we are able to decrease the population of down-regulated cells and increase the number of both up-regulated and persister cells in a growing biofilm. Altering the quorum sensing system within the bacteria cells will change the timing at which the different phenotypes reach equilibria but ultimately does not change the concentrations of the different cell phenotypes within a mature biofilm.
Gerald Young, Dr. (Advisor)
Kevin Kreider, Dr. (Advisor)
Curtis Clemons, Dr. (Advisor)
J. Patrick Wilber, Dr. (Advisor)
104 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Bissell, S. (2011). The Effects of Quorum Sensing on the Phenotypes of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Bacteria Cells Within a Biofilm [Master's thesis, University of Akron]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1315840076

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Bissell, Stephanie. The Effects of Quorum Sensing on the Phenotypes of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Bacteria Cells Within a Biofilm. 2011. University of Akron, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1315840076.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Bissell, Stephanie. "The Effects of Quorum Sensing on the Phenotypes of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Bacteria Cells Within a Biofilm." Master's thesis, University of Akron, 2011. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1315840076

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)