Document Type

Presentation

Date

Spring 2021

Academic Department

Biology

Faculty Advisor(s)

Dr. Debra Wohl

Abstract

Fecal Matter Transplantation (FMT) is an innovative treatment that has in clinical trials, resolved 80-90% of infections caused by the recurrent Clostridium difficile bacterium which does not respond to antibiotics. During FMT, a fecal preparation from a healthy stool donor is transplanted into the colon of the patient. Stool banks, such as OpenBiome, store donor stool samples at their biorepository facilities, for a maximum of two years. However, there lack studies examining the bacterial composition, for such long-term storage, for fecal matter. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the effects of long-term storage on the composition of microbes using fecal matter obtained from dogs. To study long term effects, stored fecal matter samples were analyzed after one months, one year, and three years of storage in a deionized water with 25% glycerol solution at -80 °C. Community DNA was extracted from the original samples for analysis. After DNA extraction, the V4 region of DNA was amplified using PCR and sent for sequencing. Data were analyzed for changes in microbial composition across time using the Qiime software. Preliminary analysis of the data suggests the greatest change occurs when the stool sample is first stored. For a more comprehensive answer, further analyses will be conducted. The results from this study will provide greater insight towards the maximum storage period suitable for greatest bacterial recovery. Additionally, results could provide better understanding towards methods for bacterial storage intended for Fecal Matter Transplant.

Notes

Scholarship and Creative Arts Day (SCAD); BIO 492 Research in Biology

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