Chloe Flowers-Stiles
Research Mentor: J Fenno
Mentor Department: Biologic and Materials Sciences, Dentistry
Author(s): M. Paula Goetting-Minesky
Session: Session 2 (10:00 AM – 10:50 AM)
Presentation Type: Poster 65
Abstract
This project investigates genetic variation among strains of Treponema denticola, an oral spirochete associated with the progression of periodontal disease. Spirochetes possess unique structural features, including periplasmic flagella, that enhance their mobility and ability to interact with host tissues, particularly within inflamed periodontal pockets. Bacteriophages are viruses that infect bacteria and play a major role in microbial evolution through horizontal gene transfer. Evidence suggests that bacteriophage DNA is integrated into the genome of several laboratory strains of T. denticola, including the commonly studied ATCC 35405 strain. However, it is unclear whether this phage region is conserved across laboratory strains and clinical isolates. To address this gap, this study uses polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify specific regions of a mapped bacteriophage sequence, followed by gel electrophoresis to detect their presence or absence across multiple T. denticola strains. This approach aims to assess the distribution and conservation of phage integration, providing insight into the genetic diversity and evolutionary dynamics of T. denticola.
